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Tullow Oil

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FY2015 Annual Report · Tullow Oil
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TULLOW OIL PLC 2015 ANNUAL REPORT & ACCOUNTS

AFRICA’S LEADING
INDEPENDENT
OIL COMPANY

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AFRICA’S LEADING 
INDEPENDENT  
OIL COMPANY

Tullow Oil is a leading independent oil and gas exploration and 
production company. Our focus is on finding and monetising oil in 
Africa and the Atlantic Margins. Our key activities include targeted 
exploration and appraisal, selective development projects and growing 
our low-cost oil production base. We maintain access to diverse 
sources of funding for our activities and adopt a prudent hedging 
strategy to mitigate the oil price risk.

Our portfolio of over 120 licences spans 22 countries  
and is organised into three Business Delivery Teams.  
We are headquartered in London and our shares are listed 
 on the London, Irish and Ghanaian Stock Exchanges.

ABOUT THE REPORT
Each year, Tullow Oil aims to produce an open, 
transparent and balanced Annual Report which 
gives an honest portrayal of our performance, 
strategy and impacts. Our Corporate Responsibility 
Report is published concurrently, which gives 
greater detail on our sustainability performance 
and objectives. Each year we try to improve our 
reporting and we welcome feedback on how well 
we are doing.

Please give us your feedback: ir@tullowoil.com

You can find this report, our CR Report and 
additional information about Tullow Oil on  
our website www.tullowoil.com

Cover: Yaw D. N. Akyea, Technical Support  
on the Jubilee FPSO, Ghana

TULLOW OIL PLC 2015 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT

TULLOW OIL PLC 2015 CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY REPORT

CREATING
SHARED
PROSPERITY

CREATING
SHARED
PROSPERITY

“As I look back on 2015, I am satisfied 
with where we ended the year. It was  
a challenging year, but we performed 
well. We did not hesitate to act as the 
oil price began to fall. We moved early 
and swiftly and we are ready to benefit 
from the recovery – when it comes.” 
Aidan Heavey
Chief Executive Officer

> Read the Chief Executive’s review on page 8

STRATEGIC REPORT

Overview of our operations  

Chairman’s statement  

Chief Executive’s review  

1

Market review  

Our business model  

Creating value  

Our strategy & performance  

Special feature – On track 

Operations Q&A and review  

Finance & Portfolio Management  

Responsible Operations  

Governance & Risk Management  

Principal risks  

Organisation & Culture  

Shared Prosperity  

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

2

Directors’ report 

Audit Committee report  

Nominations Committee report  

EHS Committee report  

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

22

34

42

46

48

55

64

66

70

79

84

86

Ethics & Compliance Committee report   88

Directors’ remuneration report  

Other statutory information  

90

107

3

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  114

Independent auditor’s report for  
the Group Financial Statements 

Group Financial Statements 

Company Financial Statements  

Five year financial summary 

Supplementary information
Shareholder information 

Licence interests 

Commercial reserves and resources 

Transparency disclosure 

Subsidiaries 

Glossary 

115

120

154

163

164

165

170

171

176

178

www.tullowoil.com 

1

 
 
OUR WEST AFRICA BUSINESS

The West Africa Business Delivery Team focuses 
on Tullow’s production and development projects 
in West Africa and Europe. In 2015, Tullow 
celebrated five years of production from the 
Jubilee field and over 150 million barrels of oil  
have been produced since the field came on 
stream in 2010.

STRATEGIC 
REPORT

1

Overview of our operations  

Chairman’s statement  

Chief Executive’s review  

Market review  

Our business model  

Creating value 

Our strategy & performance  

Special feature – On track 

Operations Q&A and review  

Finance & Portfolio Management  

Responsible Operations  

Governance & Risk Management  

Principal risks  

Organisation & Culture  

Shared Prosperity  

4

6

8

10

12

14

16

22

34

42

46

48

55

64

66

Deck of the Jubilee FPSO, Kwame Nkrumah, offshore Ghana

1OUR OPERATIONS

HIGH-QUALITY OIL ASSETS  
AND OPERATIONS

Tullow has a balanced portfolio of high-quality producing fields, areas  
for future development and exciting exploration acreage. 

Key Producing Areas 
(boepd x000)

New Ventures BDT 

East Africa BDT 

West Africa BDT

* West African BDT manages Mauritanian production.

4 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTKEY FACTS

OPERATING COUNTRIES

LICENCES

ACREAGE (SQ KM)

TOTAL WORKFORCE

22

Tullow has operations in 
countries across Africa, 
Europe, South America,  
the Caribbean and Asia.

122

Tullow’s portfolio of licences 
is balanced between 
exploration, development  
and production activities. 

307,971

The majority of Tullow’s 
acreage is in Africa,  
in particular offshore  
West Africa and onshore 
East Africa.

1,403

Tullow’s workforce includes 
full time employees and 
contractors who work in  
our corporate offices and 
Business Delivery Teams. 

1

WHERE WE OPERATE

West Africa

East Africa

New Ventures

The West Africa Business 
Delivery Team focuses on 
Tullow’s production and 
development projects in West 
Africa. Our European production  
is also managed by this team. 

2015 key activities
•  TEN Project on track and  

on budget; project progress  
over 85%; six first oil wells 
completed, successful 
conversion of FPSO

•  Strong West Africa production 
averaged 66,600 bopd, in line 
with guidance

•  Europe production  

averaged 6,800 boepd,  
in line with guidance

•  Greater Jubilee Full Field 

Development Plan submitted  
to the Government of Ghana

•  Resolved Onal licence dispute 
with the Government of Gabon

•  Completed sale of selected 
Netherlands production  
and exploration licences

The East Africa Business  
Delivery Team is focused on 
commercialising the significant 
potential of the region through its 
onshore exploration campaigns 
and progressing developments.

2015 key activities
•  Nine successful appraisal  
wells in South Lokichar  
Basin in Kenya underpin 
estimated 600 mmboe  
gross recoverable resources

•  Etom-2 discovery indicates 
significant potential in the 
northern part of the South 
Lokichar Basin

•  Extended well tests in South 
Lokichar Basin show good 
connectivity for production

•  Draft field development  

plan submitted to  
Government of Kenya

•  Memorandum of 

Understanding signed by the 
Governments of Uganda and 
Kenya on pipeline routing

The New Ventures Business 
Delivery Team is responsible for 
Tullow’s frontier exploration and 
appraisal activity largely across 
Africa and Latin America. 

2015 key activities
•  Prospecting of new countries 

and new licences in core 
areas, with a number of 
options in the pipeline

•  Prospect inventory enhanced 
with new offshore licence 
awarded in Guyana

•  Successful farm down of 
licences to reduce equity  
and gain carries in Suriname 
and Norway

•  4,000 sq km 3D seismic 

programme completed over 
Block 54, offshore Suriname

•  Completed bathymetry and 

drop core surveys in Jamaica, 
ahead of a 2D seismic survey 
planned for 2016 

2015 Group financial results summary
Sales revenue ($m)
Pre-tax operating cash flow ($m)
Operating loss ($m)
Net loss after tax ($m)
Basic loss per share (cents)
Dividend per share (pence)

2015
1,607
967
 (1,094)
(1,037)
(113.6)
–

2014
2,213
1,545
(1,965)
(1,640)
(170.9)
4.0

www.tullowoil.com 

5

 
 
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT

CONFRONTING CHALLENGES 
AND ACHIEVING RESULTS 

Tullow has undertaken a major restructuring in 2015, which has been difficult for all involved.  
I commend the loyalty and resilience of our staff during a very tough year. 

Prioritising cost saving
There has been a relentless focus on cost control during 
2015. Exploration expenditure was cut to $256 million  
($799 million in 2014), while capital expenditure was limited 
to key projects, such as TEN in Ghana, which will generate 
strong future cash flow, even at low oil prices. Headcount 
has been reduced by nearly 40 per cent, and the entire 
business has been reorganised to become more 
streamlined, more efficient and more effective. Gross  
G&A was reduced by $164 million in 2015 and Tullow is  
on track to deliver cash savings of around $500 million  
over the planned three-year period from mid-2015.

The restructuring of the business has not been achieved 
without sacrifice. Shareholders have seen their dividend 
suspended and many respected and valued members of  
staff have been made redundant, while many of those who 
remain have seen their responsibilities and workload increase. 
On behalf of the entire Board, I would like to thank all of our 
staff for their loyalty, resourcefulness and resilience during  
a very tough year for Tullow.

Focus on delivery
The changes we have made, while painful, were absolutely 
necessary in this environment. We have laid strong foundations 
for Tullow to benefit from the recovery, whenever it occurs. We 
have protected the core skills and competencies necessary for 
our future success and built an organisation that is simpler and 
more cost-conscious, with clearly defined lines of authority, 
responsibility and accountability for the delivery of our strategy. 
Despite significant internal and external distractions, the focus 
on delivery is exemplified by the TEN Project in Ghana – a 
highly complex, multinational, $5 billion project, which is 
currently over 85 per cent complete and remains on time  
and on budget to produce first oil in July-August 2016. 

Maintaining liquidity
The sharp reduction in the oil price in mid-2014 caught Tullow 
at a particularly unfortunate time, when we were midway 
through a heavy capital expenditure programme for the TEN 
Project. In response, we amended the covenants in our debt 
agreements and strengthened liquidity by increasing the 
available debt capacity on our RBL and corporate facility.  
At the end of 2015, net debt stood at $4.0 billion with  
undrawn but available credit lines and free cash amounting to 
$1.9 billion. Subject to the future development of the oil price,  

DEAR SHAREHOLDER
Last year I reported on the underlying causes of the sharp 
reduction in oil prices that started in mid-2014 and has 
continued ever since. I also reported on the steps taken  
by your Company to address the new market reality. By  
acting quickly and decisively, we have successfully reset  
the business to cope with lower oil prices.

During 2015, Tullow’s production remained broadly flat  
at 73,400 boepd. In mid-2014, the oil price peaked at $115/bbl. 
During 2015, it averaged $52/bbl and at year end stood at  
$37/bbl, but the impact of lower prices was significantly 
mitigated by our prudent hedging strategy, which helped to 
underpin revenues of $1,607 million (2014: $2,213 million). 
Cash flow also remained relatively strong at $967 million,  
but we suffered another significant net loss after tax of  
$1,037 million, largely as a result of further write-offs and 
impairments. However, during one of the most difficult periods 
ever for the global oil and gas industry, these financial numbers 
do not do justice to a year of hard work and solid achievement 
by your Company. 

6 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTdebt should peak around mid-2016 as the TEN Project comes 
on stream. It was never our intention to allow our leverage  
to reach these levels, and it remains our objective to reduce 
gearing back towards our target level of two times net debt  
to EBITDAX. However, we firmly believe that it is in the interest 
of our shareholders to run with a higher than desirable level  
of debt until such time as we are able to deleverage our 
balance sheet through internal cash generation or portfolio 
management activity that enhances the long-term value of  
the Company. 

Managing our performance
As part of the Major Simplification Project, the Board has 
overseen a significant improvement in our performance 
management process, aimed at re-invigorating teams to be 
highly engaged, motivated and results-orientated. The Group 
scorecard, which tracks key metrics and a set of shorter-term 
objectives, is used to award Executive Directors’ performance-
related pay and a proportion of all staff bonuses. It is tracked 
on a monthly basis by the Board and Senior Leaders and 
progress has been proactively communicated to managers  
and teams across the Group at various times throughout the 
year. A score of 37.7 per cent has been achieved in 2015,  
which reflects the challenging year the Group has faced,  
but also the successful delivery of a number of objectives  
that were critical in these very tough market conditions.  
Full details of our performance are set out on pages 17 to 21.

Upholding our responsibilities
The UN climate change conference in Paris at the end of  
2015 drew attention to the urgent need for the world to reduce 
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and Tullow fully recognises 
its responsibility to play a constructive role in meeting the 
target to limit global warning to two degrees celsius. We have 
already taken steps to reduce GHG emissions from our own 
operations and we now apply notional carbon pricing to test  
the viability of major capital projects for Full Field Development 
under a range of scenarios. As an African-focused oil company, 
we are also conscious of our responsibility to meet the 
expectations of our host governments, which regard resource-
led growth as a critical driver of economic development and 
poverty alleviation. We will continue to play our part in trying  
to ensure that the resource revenues that we help to create 
contribute positively to economic diversification and 
sustainable, inclusive development in Africa.

Board activity and changes
In October, the Board visited Ghana, where we met senior 
politicians, officials from our partners and regulators, and 
other business leaders and stakeholders. We visited the  
FPSO Kwame Nkrumah and Sekondi-Takoradi, where 
components for the TEN Project development have been 
fabricated. It was a pleasure to meet so many talented 
members of the Tullow Ghana team during our visit and  
to see the high standard of work.

Prudent planning and risk management
Risk management has always been a primary focus of the 
Board but, with the heightened risks that come with increased 
debt and highly uncertain commodity markets, we are giving 
the matter even more attention. On pages 52 to 54, we outline 
the improvements that we have made to our risk management 
and assurance processes and on pages 55 to 63 we set out our 
assessment of the principal risks facing the business and the 
mitigation measures we have adopted.

Graham Martin retired as Company Secretary at the end of 
2015 and will step down as Executive Director at the AGM. 
Graham has worked with Tullow for almost 30 years, initially  
as an adviser and since 1997 as a member of the Board.  
I would like to thank him for his significant and longstanding 
contribution to the Group. The Board has appointed Kevin 
Massie, previously Corporate Counsel and Deputy Company 
Secretary at Tullow, to the role of Company Secretary and  
I wish him well as he takes up his new duties.

In accordance with the requirements of the 2014 Corporate 
Governance Code, we have included a viability statement on 
page 55. The practice of reviewing the long-term viability of  
the Company has always been part of the Group’s planning 
process and continues to be a topic for discussion at every 
Board meeting. 

Uncompromising standards
A 75 per cent reduction in product prices would challenge any 
industry, and the exploration and production sector has been 
under intense pressure over the past 18 months. I am therefore 
particularly proud that, despite the short-term pressures  
that we face, your Board and the management team have 
remained focused on our long-term strategy of creating  
shared prosperity for our shareholders and for the countries 
where we operate. In common with every other aspect of our 
business, we have eliminated unnecessary bureaucracy and 
tried to simplify processes and clarify responsibilities, but  
we have not compromised our commitment to the highest 
standards of safety, health and environmental management, 
social performance and ethical behaviour. Our achievements 
and the challenges we face in this area are discussed further 
on pages 46 and 47.

Future opportunities
Despite the uncertain market outlook, there is much to  
look forward to in 2016. In West Africa, we have submitted  
the Greater Jubilee Full Field Development Plan and expect 
TEN to come on-stream in July-August. As we head into 2017, 
Tullow will grow production to around 100,000 bopd net, with 
an average operating cost per barrel of around $15, giving us 
one of the most competitive production bases outside the 
Middle East.

2015 has been a year of both challenge and achievement for 
Tullow. It is the firm belief of your Board that with Tullow’s new 
organisational structure, described by Aidan Heavey on pages 8 
to 9, our competitive West African production and low-cost  
East African development projects, our exciting exploration 
inventory, and our talented and committed staff, Tullow is well 
placed to weather the storm and, importantly, to prosper when 
market conditions improve.

Simon R Thompson
Chairman

www.tullowoil.com 

7

1 
 
 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW

TAKING STEPS TO ADJUST TO  
A NEW MARKET REALITY 

2015 has proved to be one of the most challenging years in Tullow’s history but, despite  
industry pressures, we have delivered exceptional operational progress. 

position of the business. I can therefore state, with 
confidence, that Tullow’s business is re-set to be resilient  
to lower oil prices.

Re-shaping the organisation
We have also undertaken major changes to our organisation. 
Following MSP, Tullow is now managed as three Business 
Delivery Teams (BDTs) – West Africa (incorporating our 
non-operated producing assets in the UK and Dutch North 
Sea), East Africa and New Ventures. Each BDT is led by a 
highly experienced Vice-President who reports to our Chief 
Operating Officer, Paul McDade. The BDTs and in-country 
management teams have significant autonomy and, thus  
far, have found decision-making and business planning  
far easier. The corporate centre functions based in London, 
Dublin and Cape Town provide strategic direction and 
assurance and provide support to the business as requested. 
By making these changes, we were able to see what jobs 
were needed in the new, re-organised Tullow and where  
we had outgrown our current business needs. Accordingly, 
the MSP reduced the headcount of our workforce by  
37 per cent. A further and significant change was the launch 
of Tullow’s new Integrated Management System (IMS) in late 
2015 which took the hundreds of standards, procedures and 
policies that existed within Tullow and streamlined them 
down to 50 integrated standards that deal with every  
aspect of Tullow’s operations.

Strong financial base
The thread that binds all these changes is efficiency. 
However, efficiency is worthless without good assets, the 
best people and a strong financial base and in 2015 Tullow 
demonstrated it is well placed not only to survive current 
market conditions but to thrive when the oil price improves. 
Financially, we benefit from an ongoing hedging programme 
which has reduced the impact of lower oil prices on revenue 
and cash flow. We have had excellent ongoing support from 
our banks during the routine debt redeterminations with the 
banks in March and September, which resulted in our 
available lending capacity increasing over the course of 2015. 
With the TEN Project in Ghana remaining on schedule and 
on budget for first oil in mid-2016, we will see a significant 
decrease in capex in the second half of the year, a decrease 
that can be maintained if the low oil price persists, and 
increased cash flows as production begins. 

We recognised in early 2014 that the industry was changing; 
the rise of the US shale industry and the cost of both 
development and deep water exploration challenged existing 
models. We recognised that changes needed to be made  
and started a thorough review of our internal processes and 
exploration strategy. When the oil price fell in late 2014 we 
were, as a result, able to act very quickly to start the process 
of adjusting the Company to a lower price environment. 

Re-setting the business 
This was the genesis of our Major Simplification Project 
(MSP), which put us in a strong position to respond rapidly  
to the precipitous fall in the oil price which started in the 
autumn of 2014. During this period, five key decisions were 
made: focusing our capital on high-margin West African oil 
projects and the generation of cash flow; a cut in exploration 
expenditure; the suspension of our dividend; a review of  
all current and future projects and where necessary the 
write-down of asset values; and a focus on MSP to drive 
through efficiencies and substantial cost savings. All five  
of these key decisions have been implemented during 2015 
and have helped to protect the balance sheet and funding 

8 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTA motivated team
As I look back on 2015, I am satisfied with where we ended 
the year. It has been challenging, but we have benefited 
because we did not hesitate to act as the oil price began  
to fall. We moved early and swiftly. In late 2015, I travelled  
to our key African offices in Accra, Nairobi, Cape Town and 
Kampala. In each location – as well as in London and Dublin 
– I was heartened by the enthusiasm of our staff and their 
recognition that the organisational changes implemented by 
MSP were making a difference and their clear understanding 
and agreement about the direction the Company is taking. 

Prepared for 2016
Looking ahead, there is much to look forward to in 2016. The 
TEN Project will come on stream in the middle of the year, 
Jubilee will continue to play its vital role at the heart of the 
Group and in East Africa we are poised to make significant 
progress towards fulfilling the potential of this major new  
oil province. As for the oil price, I make no predictions  
except that, having made Tullow fit for lower prices in 2015, 
we are ready to benefit from the recovery – when it comes. 

Aidan Heavey
Chief Executive Officer

MORE INFORMATION

Operations 

Finance & Portfolio Management 

Risk Management  

Organisation & Culture 

34

42

52

64

Quality assets and world-class projects
Tullow’s strategy is based around our long-life and low-cost 
assets. In West Africa our non-operated oil assets generate 
steady cash flow in return for consistent investment. TEN 
and Jubilee in Ghana provide a solid production base at 
relatively low operating costs. Jubilee is a world-class oil 
field which is still in the early stages of its life and the 
returns it generates will justify continued investment as we 
target additional recoverable reserves. When TEN comes on 
stream we will also benefit from additional production and 
cash flow. In East Africa, we have a major stake in one of the 
world’s major new onshore oil provinces. An endorsement  
of the quality of these assets was demonstrated by Maersk 
acquiring a stake in our Kenya project from Africa Oil in the 
third quarter of 2015. Significant exploration potential 
remains in Northern Kenya and future basin opening 
exploration drilling plans are currently being evaluated.

Exploration is not forgotten
While we may be involved in major developments, exploration 
remains pivotal to our strategy. We found all the fields that 
we are now developing, or seeking to develop, in Ghana, 
Uganda and Kenya and I am clear that exploration is the  
key to continued organic growth. Accordingly, we are  
building on our exploration portfolio to ensure that, as  
and when we increase our exploration spend, we have  
a world-class prospect inventory and we will generate 
significant shareholder value through the drill bit. In 2015, 
our exploration team has been operating with a limited  
budget and this will continue in 2016. They have, however, 
successfully executed deals to strategically reduce our 
equities for carries to reduce our capital exposure and  
are making great progress in identifying and negotiating  
new opportunities in our core areas of Africa and the  
Atlantic Margins. 

RETIREMENT OF GRAHAM MARTIN
Graham Martin retired as Company Secretary at the end 
of 2015 and will retire as an Executive Director at the 2016 
AGM on 28 April 2016. Graham has been a part of Tullow 
almost as long as I have, as he advised us on our first 
sales agreement in Senegal in 1986. He continued to be  
a key adviser to the Company during Tullow’s early years, 
until he officially joined the Board in 1997. 

Graham has been instrumental in completing many of the 
transformational deals and major acquisitions that have 
made Tullow Africa’s leading independent oil company.  
He has been a constant advocate of Tullow’s culture  
and values, and he will be missed across the Company. 

During his almost 30 year career with Tullow he has made 
an outstanding contribution to the Group and I would like 
to personally thank him for his loyalty and commitment.  
I wish him every success and happiness in his very 
well-earned retirement.

www.tullowoil.com 

9

1 
 
 
MARKET REVIEW

LOWER FOR LONGER

Global oil prices have slipped to 12 year lows, forcing producing economies and oil companies 
around the world to prepare for and adjust to a sustained period of low oil prices. 

Economic and political overview
In 2015, the global economy was shaped by a number of 
events including a dramatic decline in oil prices, slowdown  
in China, fears of a Greek exit from the Eurozone and 
anticipation of a shift in the US Central Bank monetary 
policy. The US economy benefited from a stronger job 
market, which contributed to increased incomes and 
investment. After seven years of near zero rates, the Federal 
Reserve raised its interest rates by a quarter of a per cent 
in December 2015 and signalled that moderate adjustments 
will continue as economic activity continues to expand.  
In Europe, markets stabilised following initial fears of a 
possible Greek default, with consumers being the main 
driver of growth while exports continued to aid the recovery 
despite emerging market weakness. Elsewhere, emerging 
markets faced several challenges including the slowdown  
in Chinese economic growth, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine 
conflict and the emergence of Islamic State extremists in 
Iraq and Syria. 

Equity markets
After a particularly strong first quarter for UK and European 
equities, stocks in both markets had increased significantly 
with the EuroStoxx 600 over 20 per cent higher and FTSE  
250 over 10 per cent higher by April. This was disrupted  
in August, when the S&P 500 index suffered its first pull-
back of more than 10 per cent since the Euro debt crisis  
in late 2011. 

This was predominantly due to China’s devaluation of the 
Yuan and predictions of the upcoming US Federal Reserve 
rate rise. By the end of the year, the focus returned to 
longer-term economic outlook and Central Bank policy  
and markets rebounded on encouraging macro data  
with the FTSE 250 ending the year 8.4 per cent higher. 

The FTSE 350 Oil & Gas Producers sector underperformed 
the wider market, closing the year down 20.6 per cent, 
predominantly due to the oil price decline. Tullow shares  
fell by nearly 60 per cent over the course of 2015 to close  
the year at 165.70p and Tullow left the FTSE 100 in March. 

Oil price
Brent crude continued its decline in 2015 and slipped heavily 
to $45/bbl by late-August. Oversupply concerns and demand 
uncertainty weighed on the oil price throughout the second 
half of the year and OPEC’s ‘non-decision’ in December led 
to further declines. At year end, Brent crude was selling at 
$37/bbl, a fall of 35 per cent since the start of 2015. At  
the start of 2016, prices fell once again, slipping to under 
$30/bbl for a number of days in January. Prices at the end  
of January 2016 were $34/bbl, the increase reflecting hopes 
that both OPEC and non-OPEC producers would take action 
to tackle oversupply. The World Bank’s forecast for oil in 2016 
is an average of $37/bbl, down from a projection of $51/bbl  
in October last year. 

2015 EQUITY MARKETS

AVERAGE OIL PRICES

%
110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

Oil
$/bbl

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Gas
pence/therm

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

Jan Feb Mar Apr May

Jun

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

11

12

13

14

15

Tullow

FTSE 100

FTSE 250

FTSE 350 Oil & Gas

Realised oil

Realised gas

Market oil price

10 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORT“Oversupply concerns and demand uncertainty 
weighed on the oil price throughout the second 
half of the year. At year end, Brent crude was 
selling at $37/bbl and in January 2016, prices 
dipped under $30/bbl.”

Competitive landscape of the oil and gas industry
This has been a very tough year for the global oil and gas 
industry with lower oil prices leading to major cost cutting 
throughout the sector. Companies reduced their capital 
expenditure for 2015 and beyond, with exploration budgets 
being particularly hard hit. Developments have also been 
impacted and a Wood MacKenzie report issued in August 
2015 estimated that 46 major development projects had  
been deferred, with just six new projects going ahead in  
2015 and 10 in 2016. 

The mergers and acquisitions market was quiet in 2015  
and Royal Dutch Shell’s purchase of BG Group announced  
in April 2015 was the only major deal of note. Throughout  
the year, Tullow has experienced a relatively healthy  
farm-in market where the Group has been able to  
attract new partners to a number of exploration licences. 

Industry costs have begun to fall due to lower commodity 
prices, competition between oil service companies and in 
line with the demands of contracting companies. The gross 
cost of Tullow’s upstream development in Uganda, for 
example, was initially estimated at between $8-12 billion,  
but it is now clear that a combination of technical 
improvements and lower service costs should lead to  
a gross project cost of at least 20 per cent below $8 billion. 

GLOBAL DEMAND FOR OIL

mmboepd

96

95

94

93

92

91

90

89

88

11

12

13

14

15

16
(forecast)

African economic outlook
Whilst growth in 2015 slowed amongst a number of African 
countries, African economies continue to outperform much  
of the rest of the world. In October 2015, the International 
Monetary Fund (IMF) was expecting the Sub-Saharan  
African economy to grow 3.8 per cent in 2015, accelerating  
to 4.3 per cent in 2016. These growth estimates were tapered 
throughout 2015 as a result of a fall in oil prices, declines in 
other commodity prices and geopolitical tensions, with these 
themes remaining relevant going into 2016. Within Africa, 
growth rates vary significantly by country. For example, 
the IMF expected Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia to grow over  
8 per cent in 2015 driven by continued external investment. 
In Ghana, however, power shortages and fiscal consolidation 
weighed on economic activity with growth projected to slow 
in 2015 to 3.5 per cent before bouncing back in 2016 to  
5.7 per cent. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was gradually 
controlled through 2015 with the World Health Organization 
(WHO) declaring Guinea and Liberia Ebola free in December 
2015 and January 2016 respectively. 

Stranded assets 
As in 2014, stranded assets were a major topic for discussion 
in the oil and gas industry throughout 2015. It has been 
suggested that, as governments adopt stricter climate 
change policies, the majority of coal, oil and gas deposits  
will remain undeveloped as investment in alternative energy 
sources grows. Climate change legislation is going to 
become an increasingly important factor in determining  
the price of all fossil fuels. As previously stated, Tullow 
recognises the potential risks in light of this issue and the 
Group will adopt a business strategy that is responsive to 
legal and regulatory developments designed to address 
climate change. However, the Group is confident there will 
be a continuing role for the conventional oil and gas industry 
for decades to come. Even if governments around the world 
take decisive action now, it would take years of investment  
to replace the installed base of assets consuming fossil  
fuel. Furthermore, Tullow’s assets in West and East Africa 
are low-cost sources of fossil fuels which remain economic, 
even at lower oil prices, and are close to market and  
easily accessible.

www.tullowoil.com 

11

1 
 
BUSINESS MODEL

HOW WE RUN OUR BUSINESS

Tullow is a leading global independent exploration and production company. Our business 
model shows the parts of the Group that work together to run our business and create value.

WHAT 
DIFFERENTIATES 
TULLOW?
The skills, experience  
and reputation we call  
upon across the seven 
elements of our business 
model are what we  
believe sets Tullow  
apart from its peers. 

Element of Business Model

Exploration & Appraisal 
Execute high-impact E&A programmes.

> page 34

Development & Production
Safely deliver selective development 
projects. All major projects and 
production operations focus on 
increasing cash flow and  
commercial reserves. 

> page 34

Finance & Portfolio Management
Continually manage financial and 
business assets to enhance our 
portfolio, replenish upside and  
support funding needs. 

> page 42

Responsible Operations
Achieve safe and sustainable operations, 
minimise our adverse environmental 
and social impacts, and achieve the 
highest standards of health and safety.

> page 46

Governance & Risk Management
Achieve strong governance across all 
Tullow activities and maintain an 
appropriate balance between risk  
and reward.

> page 48

Organisation & Culture
Build a strong, unified team with 
excellent commercial, technical and 
financial skills and entrepreneurial flair.

> page 64

Shared Prosperity 
Create sustainable, transparent and 
tangible benefits from the development  
of oil in host countries.

> page 66

How we create value 
We create value over the business cycle by finding oil and 
selling oil. To achieve this we must execute exploration 
campaigns, deliver selective development projects, 
maintain our production and ensure we are 
suitably financed through a mix of diverse 
funding options and portfolio management. 
These elements are the basis of our 
strategy, which is explained on  
page 16.

H O W   W E   CREATE VALUE

DEVELOPMENT  
& PRODUCTION

EXPLORATION  
& APPRAISAL

 FINANCE & 
PORTFOLIO 
MANAGEMENT

SUSTAINABLE  
LONG-TERM  
VALUE GROWTH

SHARED 
PROSPERITY

 RESPONSIBLE 
OPERATIONS

ORGANISATION  
& CULTURE

GOVERNANCE  
& RISK 
MANAGEMENT

HOW WE RUN OUR B U S I N E S S

How we run our business
Our business model addresses the 
fundamentals that we must have in 
place to manage our risks and help us 
deliver our strategy. These include: 
sustainable operations; protecting our people, 
communities and environment; high standards of 
governance coupled with strong and effective risk 
management; an engaged multi-disciplined, diverse  
and entrepreneurial team; and making a positive and  
lasting contribution where we operate.

12 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Our key strengths and activities 

2015 progress

In its recent history, Tullow has achieved significant exploration success by opening commercial oil 

•  Nine successful appraisal 

basins in Ghana, Uganda and Kenya. While recent focus has been on monetising these discoveries, our 

wells in South Lokichar 

E&A team continues to build on our industry leading acreage position as we prepare for increased 

Basin in Kenya 

exploration activity in future years, subject to market conditions.

Tullow has some of the best low-cost and high-quality oil assets in the world. The Group has a track 

•  TEN Project on budget 

record of delivery, with the Jubilee field developed in a record 40 months, and the TEN Project on its way 

and on schedule

to first oil on time and on budget by mid-2016. In 2017, the Group will target production of circa 100,000 

bopd and significant upside from current and future developments for sustainable long-term cash flow. 

•  Met 2015 production 

guidance averaging 

73,400 boepd

Our business model is underpinned by access to diverse sources of funding and we adopt a prudent 

•  Quality assets secured 

hedging strategy to mitigate oil price risk. The Group negotiated suitable debt capacity to fund the 

capital intensive period of the TEN development. However, the Board’s primary objective is to de-

leverage the Company organically through new production cash flow, but also through portfolio 

additional $450 million 

debt capacity in 2015

management opportunities. 

Our ambition to be a top quartile oil and gas company on health and safety performance remains 

•  48% reduction in Lost 

steadfast and we have reduced our Lost Time Incident Frequency (LTIF) for a second year in a row as  

we work towards this important goal. Managing our social impacts is critical for keeping our projects  

Time Incident Frequency 

(LTIF) compared to 2014

on track and on budget, and meeting our commitment to creating benefits for local communities. 

Tullow upholds the highest standards of business ethics and has a zero-tolerance approach to breaches 

•  New Ethics & Compliance 

of our Code of Ethical Conduct. Our day-to-day business is governed by a set of policies and standards 

Board Committee

which form part of our Integrated Management System (IMS), covering the breadth of our business. Our 

policies and standards outline the Group’s values, set expectations and define controls against which  

we can assure ourselves that all activities, and associated risks, are being effectively managed. 

The challenging market in 2015 was a catalyst to the restructuring, streamlining and strengthening  

•  Planned and executed  

of our organisation. This has resulted in greater efficiency and a culture focused on better cost 

the Major Simplification 

management and more regular and rigorous review and challenge of performance. Following the 

Project 

restructuring our workforce is more empowered, with the Tullow team now clearer on their individual 

roles and how they contribute to delivering the Group strategy. 

Our brand and reputation have been built over almost 30 years of operating in Africa. We are long-term 

•  $1.1 billion total 

investors and seek to build strong relationships, based on mutual trust, with our host governments.  

socio-economic 

We aim to leave a legacy of sustainable social and economic benefits in the countries where we operate.

contribution

STRATEGIC REPORTElement of Business Model

Exploration & Appraisal 

Execute high-impact E&A programmes.

> page 34

Development & Production

Safely deliver selective development 

projects. All major projects and 

production operations focus on 

increasing cash flow and  

commercial reserves. 

> page 34

Finance & Portfolio Management

Continually manage financial and 

business assets to enhance our 

portfolio, replenish upside and  

support funding needs. 

> page 42

Responsible Operations

Achieve safe and sustainable operations, 

minimise our adverse environmental 

and social impacts, and achieve the 

highest standards of health and safety.

> page 46

Governance & Risk Management

Achieve strong governance across all 

Tullow activities and maintain an 

appropriate balance between risk  

and reward.

> page 48

Organisation & Culture

Build a strong, unified team with 

excellent commercial, technical and 

financial skills and entrepreneurial flair.

> page 64

Shared Prosperity 

Create sustainable, transparent and 

tangible benefits from the development  

of oil in host countries.

> page 66

Our key strengths and activities 

In its recent history, Tullow has achieved significant exploration success by opening commercial oil 
basins in Ghana, Uganda and Kenya. While recent focus has been on monetising these discoveries, our 
E&A team continues to build on our industry leading acreage position as we prepare for increased 
exploration activity in future years, subject to market conditions.

Tullow has some of the best low-cost and high-quality oil assets in the world. The Group has a track 
record of delivery, with the Jubilee field developed in a record 40 months, and the TEN Project on its way 
to first oil on time and on budget by mid-2016. In 2017, the Group will target production of circa 100,000 
bopd and significant upside from current and future developments for sustainable long-term cash flow. 

2015 progress

•  Nine successful appraisal 
wells in South Lokichar 
Basin in Kenya 

•  TEN Project on budget 

and on schedule

•  Met 2015 production 
guidance averaging 
73,400 boepd

Our business model is underpinned by access to diverse sources of funding and we adopt a prudent 
hedging strategy to mitigate oil price risk. The Group negotiated suitable debt capacity to fund the 
capital intensive period of the TEN development. However, the Board’s primary objective is to de-
leverage the Company organically through new production cash flow, but also through portfolio 
management opportunities. 

•  Quality assets secured 
additional $450 million 
debt capacity in 2015

Our ambition to be a top quartile oil and gas company on health and safety performance remains 
steadfast and we have reduced our Lost Time Incident Frequency (LTIF) for a second year in a row as  
we work towards this important goal. Managing our social impacts is critical for keeping our projects  
on track and on budget, and meeting our commitment to creating benefits for local communities. 

•  48% reduction in Lost 

Time Incident Frequency 
(LTIF) compared to 2014

Tullow upholds the highest standards of business ethics and has a zero-tolerance approach to breaches 
of our Code of Ethical Conduct. Our day-to-day business is governed by a set of policies and standards 
which form part of our Integrated Management System (IMS), covering the breadth of our business. Our 
policies and standards outline the Group’s values, set expectations and define controls against which  
we can assure ourselves that all activities, and associated risks, are being effectively managed. 

•  New Ethics & Compliance 

Board Committee

The challenging market in 2015 was a catalyst to the restructuring, streamlining and strengthening  
of our organisation. This has resulted in greater efficiency and a culture focused on better cost 
management and more regular and rigorous review and challenge of performance. Following the 
restructuring our workforce is more empowered, with the Tullow team now clearer on their individual 
roles and how they contribute to delivering the Group strategy. 

•  Planned and executed  

the Major Simplification 
Project 

Our brand and reputation have been built over almost 30 years of operating in Africa. We are long-term 
investors and seek to build strong relationships, based on mutual trust, with our host governments.  
We aim to leave a legacy of sustainable social and economic benefits in the countries where we operate.

•  $1.1 billion total 
socio-economic 
contribution

www.tullowoil.com 

13

1 
 
CREATING VALUE

CREATING VALUE ACROSS  
THE OIL LIFE CYCLE

This diagram describes the capital investment that oil companies make throughout the life of 
a project, as well as the production sharing that takes place between oil companies and host 
governments to allow for up front investment to be recouped. It also shows the added value 
from jobs and businesses opportunities that are typically created through a project. 

3-10 YEAR PERIOD
 Development of discovery

Complex projects and significant investment
During this capital intensive period, an oil company will drill 
further wells and invest in the necessary infrastructure to 
extract and produce resources. For onshore projects, this 
includes transport infrastructure, amenities, processing 
facilities and pipelines. For offshore projects, this includes 
production platforms, floating production, storage and  
offtake vessels (FPSO) and sub-sea equipment.

Increased opportunities for local jobs and suppliers 
This phase represents the greatest opportunities for local 
businesses and individuals. Opportunities in the supply chain 
range from providing engineering expertise and construction,  
to logistics and catering. 

2-10 YEAR PERIOD
 Exploration and Appraisal

Geological studies and evaluation of risks 
Capital is invested by oil companies through licence 
acquisitions, acquiring seismic data and the drilling of 
exploration and appraisal wells.

Initial opportunities for local jobs and suppliers
In the early stages of a project, Tullow invests in community 
projects and employs local sub-contractors in exploration  
and appraisal programmes, where possible..

Governments

Improved 
infrastructure

Local community 
investment

Social investment

Value  
shared

Governments

Taxes
Infrastructure 
improvements

Spend with local suppliers

General trades and services
Support services

14 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Employment

Training

Value  
shared

Local community 
investment

Capacity building
Social investment

Spend with local suppliers

Specialist and non-specialist trades
Skills and knowledge transfer
Increase in local jobs

STRATEGIC REPORT20-50 YEAR PERIOD
 Production

Maintaining and extending the life of producing fields
Once a field is producing, investment will focus on sustaining 
and extending plateau production in the most cost-effective 
way. This involves general maintenance, steps to protect  
the integrity of the field and additional infill or near-field 
exploration drilling.

Cost-effective production for high-margin cash flow
Once producing, the oil can be marketed and sold to 
international buyers. Maintaining low operating costs allows  
the oil company to make greater margins on each barrel sold. 
The oil company’s take is dependent on the oil price, levels  
of expenditure and agreed licence terms.

Monetary value from production tax and royalties
The main economic value to host countries is from production 
revenues and income taxes on the oil company’s profits. Goods 
and services from local businesses and expertise from the  
local workforce are needed to run operations, maintain 
production and work on potential further development. 

INVESTMENT AND RETURNS
Tullow aims to create sustainable long-term value across 
the oil life cycle for our shareholders and also a wider 
group of beneficiaries including employees, governments, 
local suppliers and communities.

International oil company investment

An oil company will often carry the host 
government’s share of costs through to first oil.  
In addition to the capital invested, the oil company 
pays the host government a number of taxes as well 
as land rentals, training and ongoing licence costs. 
The oil company also undertakes capacity building 
programmes including skills, knowledge and 
technology transfer to maximise local business  
and workforce participation in the industry. 

International oil company take

An agreement between the oil company and 
government determines how and when costs  
can be recovered and how production and revenues  
are shared. Typically, the oil company’s share of 
production or revenue is higher in the earlier years 
of production as costs are recovered in the form  
of allowable deductions against income tax or as  
an allocation of production, commonly known  
as ‘cost oil’.

In-country value creation

Creating shared prosperity is the key pillar of 
Tullow’s sustainability strategy. The area where we 
can create the most discretionary value is through 
foreign direct investment, local procurement, local 
employment and capacity building through skills, 
knowledge and technology transfer. The scale of  
the opportunity for local business contracts and 
jobs increases as a project moves from the 
exploration phase through to production.

2015 TOTAL SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONTRIBUTION

Governments

Taxes from production
Government tax
Royalties

Value  
shared

Spend with  
local suppliers

Foreign Direct
Investment  

Employment

Training

Employee salaries

$359M

Local community 
investment

Social investment
Capacity building

$1.1BN

Spend with local 
suppliers

$309M

Local community 
investment

$8M

Governments

$391M

www.tullowoil.com 

15

1 
 
 
STRATEGIC REPORT

OUR STRATEGY AND PERFORMANCE

ROBUST STRATEGY FOCUSED 
ON LONG-TERM VALUE

Tullow’s Board is confident that Tullow’s strategy and business plans remain  
effective in steering our Company through challenging market conditions.

Our long-term strategy is to find oil through exploration 
which we then seek to monetise through production or the 
sale of assets. We have demonstrated this both in Ghana 
through the development of the Jubilee and TEN fields and  
in Uganda with our farm-down to CNOOC and Total in 2012. 
Exploration success gives us options to monetise assets and 
maximise value at various points in the cycle. We selectively 
develop the oil we find, focusing on world-class development 
projects that are economically viable and will return 
sustainable future cash flows. As and when surplus cash  
is generated, a decision is made to either reinvest this  
cash into additional operational activities, pay down debt  
or return cash to shareholders. 

Due to the significant fall in the oil price since mid-2014, we 
have reduced our expenditure on exploration substantially; 
limited our development spend to those projects which 
maintain or bring onstream substantial new production; 
focused on cost reduction; made sure our oil production is 

substantially hedged; strengthened our banking facilities; 
and suspended our dividend. Accordingly, although our 
long-term strategy for creating value for our shareholders 
remains unchanged, we have made significant changes to its 
implementation in the current environment. 

As and when the sector recovers, and costs within oil 
services are reduced, Tullow will reconsider its exploration 
budget in the firm belief that the best oil to develop or sell  
is oil that we have found ourselves. Meanwhile, our much 
reduced exploration spend is currently focused on ensuring 
that Tullow has a balanced and exciting prospect inventory 
which is ready for any change in market conditions. We 
recognise that our strategy requires disciplined execution  
in the short term to deliver a successful, well-funded 
business for the future and we continue to stress-test both 
our balance sheet and business plan at very low oil prices  
to ensure that we can execute our strategy despite the 
current volatility in the oil and gas industry. 

OUR STRATEGY

ADDITIONAL CASH FLOW FROM NEW PRODUCTION

High Margin  
Production Cash flow

Exploration  
& Appraisal

Monetisation Options & 
Portfolio Management

Selective  
Development

Costs & Dividends

Surplus Cash

Debt reduction, cash 
distribution & operations

16 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

MEASURING OUR 
PERFORMANCE

The Group’s progress against its corporate scorecard is tracked every month  
to assess the Group’s performance and delivery against its strategy.

Tullow’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are important  
in assessing the overall health and performance of the 
business and they make up a Group scorecard that includes 
a range of operational, financial and non-financial measures.

The KPIs measured in 2015 differ from those reported in 
2014 and this is a result of the Major Simplification Project 
(MSP), which has evolved the Group’s approach to ongoing 
performance management. A single Group scorecard was 
agreed with the Board for 2015 which included specific 
strategic targets that were deemed important for the year. 
Each year, targets within the scorecard may change to reflect 
the most material strategic objectives and associated risks 
the Group faces, as well as measures to deliver on the 
longer-term strategy of the Company. Tullow’s performance 
against the scorecard is tracked and reviewed at monthly 
performance management meetings, which are attended by 
Executive Directors and Senior Leaders. The Group’s ongoing 
performance is regularly cascaded to staff through 
management briefings and internal communications.

The Group scorecard is used to determine Executive 
Directors’ and employees’ performance related pay to ensure 
that all areas of the business are driving towards the same 
goals. Executive Directors’ performance is judged solely  
on the delivery of the targets set in the Group scorecard, 
whereas the majority of employees’ bonuses are based  
on a combination of individual and Group performance.

Each objective measured has a percentage weighting and 
financial indicators have a baseline and a stretch 
performance target. As reflected in the table below, in 2015, 
Tullow’s overall performance was 37.7 per cent. This reflects 
the challenging year the Group faced and the impact it has 
had on our Total Shareholder Return (TSR), which accounts 
for 50 per cent of the total possible score. However, the 
delivery of the majority of remaining targets reflects strong 
performance in maintaining liquidity, sustaining cash flows, 
operating safely, reducing our costs and overall operational 
delivery. More detailed discussion on each KPI  
begins overleaf.

2015 GROUP SCORECARD
OPERATIONAL 
(Production, Opex, Net G&A)

TEN DEVELOPMENT 
(First oil date and cost)

SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS
(Lost Time Injury Frequency and safety and sustainability scorecard)

STRATEGIC TARGETS 
(Liquidity, East Africa progress, Major Simplification Project)

RELATIVE TSR

Total*

* Due to rounding, column does not add to the total.

%  
available in scorecard

2015  
actual performance

10%

10%

10%

20%

50%

100%

6.6%

7.2%

7.3%

16.7%

0%

37.7%

www.tullowoil.com 

17

1 
 
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS CONTINUED

PRODUCTION 
Relevance to strategy:
Production provides a key source of funding for the Group in the form of high-
margin annual cash flow. Production guidance is set as part of the business 
planning process and meeting these levels is important for ongoing liquidity.

Target
Maintain Group production against  
a base target of 71,000 boepd, and 
maintain the integrity and operating 
efficiency of the Jubilee field. 

2015 performance 
The Group’s working interest 
production in 2015 was 73,400 boepd, 
exceeding the base target. This reflects 
strong performance from the Jubilee 
field and our non-operated West 
African portfolio. 

OPERATIONAL

WORKING INTEREST
PRODUCTION

73,400 BOEPD

78,200

79,200

84,200

75,200

73,400

11

12

13

14

15

CASH OPERATING 
COST PER BOE

$15.1 PER BOE

13.5

14.6

16.5

18.6

15.1

OPERATING COSTS 
Relevance to strategy:
Operating costs determine how much it costs Tullow to produce each barrel  
of oil it extracts. The lower the cost, the higher the margin Tullow receives when 
the oil is sold. Opex is impacted by industry costs, inflation, Tullow’s fixed costs 
and production output.

Target
Deliver Opex/boe base target  
of $14.5/boe.

2015 performance 
Opex/boe in 2015 was $15.1/boe, after 
taking account of the uncontrollable 
effect of Gabon royalties. This did not 
achieve the base target of $14.5/boe, 
primarily due to unforeseen 
maintenance on the Jubilee FPSO. 

11

12

13

14

15

$46 MILLION
saving compared to 
2014 adjusted net 
G&A 
($155 million) 

NET G&A COST SAVINGS
Relevance to strategy:
Administrative costs are the corporate costs of running the organisation.  
They should be directly related to our levels of operational activity, efficiency, 
planning and budgeting.

Target
Reduce activities and related G&A 
costs that will deliver net G&A cost 
savings of a $50 million run rate  
at the end of 2015.

2015 performance 
Net G&A was $194 million in 2015. 
There have been significant reductions 
in headcount, payroll and non-payroll 
costs during 2015. The adjusted 2015 
annualised exit run-rate was $109 
million, which is a reduction of  
$46 million compared to 2014 adjusted 
net G&A of $155 million, after excluding 
the effect of the IFRS 2 Share-Based 
Payments charge.

18 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTTEN DEVELOPMENT

OVER 85%
of project  
completed

TEN PROJECT SCHEDULE AND BUDGET
Relevance to strategy:
Delivering the TEN Project on time and on budget will lead to significant 
production growth and will build on available reserves which underpin  
debt capacity. 

Target
Forecasts on track for delivering TEN 
first oil in mid-2016 and within budget. 
This is measured on a sliding scale and 
the full score of this KPI required the 
schedule and budget forecasts to meet 
stretch targets. 

2015 performance 
The base target for the forecast delivery 
of the TEN Project was achieved in 
2015. The project is forecast to be 
delivered within budget and is on  
track for first oil in July / August 2016. 

SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS

EHS SCORECARD

14
MEASURES

∙ Fully achieved 
∙ Partially achieved 
∙ Not achieved 

6

6

2

LTI, TRI, MVC 
12 MONTH TREND*

%

2.0

1.5

1.0

0.5

0

Jan Mar May

Jul Sep Nov

Rolling MVCF

LTIF 12 Month Avg

TRIR 12 Month Avg
* Incident frequency 
   per million man hours

Trend

SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE OPERATIONS SCORECARD
Relevance to strategy:
Tullow’s safe and sustainable operations scorecard provides a complete view of 
Tullow’s performance and drives towards a sustainable business for the long term.

Target
Demonstrate measurable 
improvements to performance  
based on the scorecard, which covers 
occupational safety, process safety, 
social performance, social investment, 
environmental performance and 
regulatory compliance.

2015 performance 
Performance measures in 2015 showed 
improvements across the majority of 
categories. Improvements were notably 

in the safer management of motor 
vehicle operations, with significantly 
fewer Motor Vehicle Collisions (MVC)
incidents (75 per cent reduction). The 
number of private and public security 
forces trained in compliance with 
Tullow’s Voluntary Principles on Security 
and Human Rights requirements has 
also increased significantly during the 
year. Areas of declining performance 
included volume of gas flared and GHG 
emissions due to a compressor issue  
on the Jubilee FPSO.

LOST TIME INJURY FREQUENCY 
Relevance to strategy:
Lost Time Injury Frequency (LTIF) is a measure of incidents that occur either  
in Tullow or our contractors’ operations that result in a fatality, a permanent 
disability or a reduction of man-hours worked. They are a direct measure of  
our safety procedures and the quality of training and have the potential to  
impact our reputation and ability to operate effectively. 

Target
Reduce LTIF by 20 per cent from the 
2014 end of year performance.

2015 performance
Tullow reduced LTIF by 48 per cent,  
with an end of year LTIF of 0.30. 
Improvements were made through  
a greater focus on the organisation  
of land operations and control of work  
at these locations, in particular in our 
drilling, completions, and extended  
well testing activities. 

www.tullowoil.com 

19

1 
 
STRATEGIC TARGETS

TOTAL 
WORKFORCE

1,403 

1,548

1,778

2,034

2,042

1,403

11

12

13

14

15

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS CONTINUED

MAJOR SIMPLIFICATION PROJECT (MSP)
Relevance to strategy:
Tullow’s strategy is focused on creating long-term shareholder value, supported 
by efficiency, cost management and a strong culture. The objective of the MSP, 
which was completed in 2015, was to streamline our business and processes,  
cut costs and re-focus the Group on key priorities and activities.

Target
Deliver business restructuring and 
efficient processes focused on value.

2015 performance 
The MSP project has successfully 
adjusted the operating model of the 
business, clarified key accountabilities, 
improved culture around value creation 
and performance management, and 
simplified the organisational structure 
– with further work ongoing to simplify 
internal processes and better manage 
our cost base. Headcount has been 
reduced across the business to better 
reflect Tullow’s activities and scope of 
operations. The new operating model 
and implementation of an integrated 
management system has better 

defined key accountabilities and 
responsibilities. Ongoing performance 
management reviews have evolved  
to improve discussions around value 
creation on a more regular basis,  
with the Group’s ongoing delivery 
against its key objectives regularly 
communicated to staff. A shift to a 
more cost-conscious culture has 
occurred as a result of regular 
expenditure reviews and improved 
cross business challenge. Engagement 
with the Executive, in-country 
management and peers has been 
stepped up to help motivate, engage 
and focus staff on the Group’s targets 
during this period of change and 
challenging market conditions.

636 mmboe
East Africa net 
contingent resources

EAST AFRICA
Relevance to strategy:
Tullow’s basin-opening discoveries in Uganda and Kenya have discovered a new 
oil province with the potential of circa 300,000 bopd combined gross production. 
Monetising these discoveries through development and/ or portfolio management 
is a fundamental part of Tullow’s strategy.

Target
Deliver East Africa exploration 
campaign, demonstrate commercial 
viability of South Lokichar resource 
base and maintain ability to accelerate 
a commercially attractive project  
into 2016. Progress East Africa 
development programme though 
pipeline agreements and resolution  
of Uganda tax issues. 

2015 performance
Nine appraisal wells were drilled in the 
South Lokichar Basin in Kenya in 2015 
and all were largely on prognosis. 
Extended Well Tests displayed good 
connectivity at Ngamia and Amosing 
and provided important data for 

development plans. Elsewhere, three 
potential basin opening exploration 
wells were drilled in 2015, but none 
made discoveries. In August 2015, the 
Governments of Kenya and Uganda 
issued a joint statement agreeing  
the Northern pipeline route would be  
used to export oil, subject to certain 
conditions. A technical team is working 
on addressing these conditions to  
gain unequivocal agreement from both 
governments. A draft field development 
plan for the discoveries in the South 
Lokichar Basin was submitted in 
December 2015. In Uganda, historic 
CGT and VAT issues were resolved. 

20 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC TARGETS CONTUNUED

$1.9 BILLION
headroom and  
free cash at  
year end 2015

LIQUIDITY
Relevance to strategy:
Sufficient liquidity is imperative for a company’s survival and it enables the Group 
to meet its capital commitments and to invest in projects and assets that will bring 
value in the future.

Target
Take appropriate steps to ensure 
cost-effective and sufficient liquidity  
in 2015.

2015 performance 
The March 2015 re-determination 
accessed $450 million of increased 
debt capacity, and the strength of our 
producing assets helped to maintain 
debt capacity in the October 2015 
re-determination despite lower oil 

prices. Net debt at year end 2015  
was $4.0 billion and headroom  
and free cash was $1.9 billion, ahead  
of guidance due to a combination of 
cost savings and deferral of certain 
capex to 2016. A number of exploration 
farm-outs were concluded during the 
year, reducing E&A expenditure 
through carried costs.

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN (TSR)

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER 
RETURN

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

Tullow

FTSE 100

FTSE 250

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN 
Relevance to strategy:
Tullow’s strategy is focused on building long-term sustainable value growth.  
Our primary strategic objective is to deliver substantial returns to shareholders.

Target
The baseline target is median TSR 
performance in relation to a peer group 
and the stretch target is upper quartile 
performance. 

TSR is based on performance over the 
24 months ended 31 December 2015.

2015 performance 
Tullow’s TSR is measured against a 
bespoke group of listed exploration  
and production companies. Tullow  
was ranked 19 out of 21 peers for  
TSR performance, resulting in no 
award for TSR. Over the measured 
24-month period, Tullow experienced 
negative TSR of 77.78%, compared to  
a median of negative 38.2%. 

2016 GROUP SCORECARD
Stretching financial metrics, a strong balance sheet and operational and organisation targets are included  
in the 2016 scorecard, as well as measures to deliver on the longer-term growth strategy of the Company. 
A summary of the targets is listed below, and the KPIs will be disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report.
•  Ensuring funding capacity in a downside environment and determining a long-term strategic solution  

to deleverage and rebase the balance sheet

•  Deliver business development and growth targets relating to the TEN and East Africa Projects and  

exploration progress

•  Organisation and operational priorities including production, operating costs, capex, net G&A, safety and 
sustainability targets, improved efficiency and effectiveness, and the progression of the diversity agenda

www.tullowoil.com 

21

1 
 
22 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

THE TEN PROJECTSPECIAL FEATUREON 
TRACK

On 23 January 2016, following 26 months of fabrication 
and testing, the FPSO Prof. John Evans Atta Mills left 
Singapore and set sail for Ghana, achieving a major 
milestone for the Tullow operated TEN Project.

This milestone was achieved as a result of 17 million man hours  
of labour at the Sembcorp Marine shipyard. Main contractor  
MODEC supervised the build and will own and operate the FPSO.

The FPSO conversion was one of the most successful projects 
of its type ever completed. It was finished on time and on budget  
with minimal work left to be completed on the voyage to Ghana.

The departure of the vessel on schedule keeps the project on  
course for its July / August 2016 first oil target.

Sailaway of the FPSO Prof. John Evans Atta Mills from Singapore, en route to Ghana

www.tullowoil.com 

23

 
 
TEN PROJECT  
PROGRESS

Our operations began in Ghana 10 years ago, and the 
TEN Project is Tullow’s second development following the record 
delivery of the Jubilee field in 2010. In this annual update of the 
project’s progress, we highlight key milestones achieved and 
work remaining as we fast approach first oil. The project remains 
on time and on budget, demonstrating the operating capability  
of Tullow Oil and its Partners.

Operated by Tullow, the TEN Project takes its name from the three offshore fields 
under development – Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme – which are situated in the 
Deepwater Tano block, around 60 kilometres offshore Western Ghana.

First oil is scheduled for July / August 2016. Following start-up, a gradual ramp 
up in production towards plateau is anticipated during the second half of 2016. 
The field will add significant low-cost production to Tullow’s portfolio. 

The TEN Plan of Development was approved by the Government of Ghana in May 
2013. Since then, 11 wells have been drilled and the completions campaign is 
progressing well.

Construction vessels began installing subsea production equipment in the fields  
in the third quarter of 2015 and the bulk of this work is now complete. When the 
FPSO arrives in Ghana in the first quarter of 2016, it will be ready for installation, 
hook-up and commissioning.

Tullow and its Partners are confident the project will remain on schedule and  
they will deliver the TEN first oil safely and successfully for Ghana.

KEY FACTS

FPSO facility capacity  
80,000 bopd 

Gas processing  
Compression capacity  
170 MMscf/d

Water injection  
132,000 bwpd

Oil reserves being developed  
240 mmbo

Gas reserves being developed 
60 mmboe

Partners’ working interest 
Tullow (operator) 47.175% 
Kosmos 17% 
Anadarko 17% 
GNPC 15% 
Petro SA 3.825%

Côte
d’Ivoire

Enyenra

Tweneboa

Ntomme

Ghana

Sekondi

TEN Subsea Installation Vessels

TEN FPSO

TEN Drilling Rig

Deep Pioneer

Deep Energy

En route from Singapore

West Leo

Viking Neptun

Simar Esperanca

24 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

THE TEN PROJECTSPECIAL FEATURECôte

d’Ivoire

Enyenra

Tweneboa

Ntomme

Ghana

Sekondi

REALISING GHANA’S POTENTIAL

When the TEN fields come 
onstream, it will be a hugely 
significant moment for Ghana. 
With TEN producing alongside 
the Tullow operated Jubilee field, 
Ghana will join the select club 
of nations with two major oil 
producing fields. 

It will also be a proud moment 
for Tullow Ghana as we move to 
operating two developments and 
two FPSOs. This will be a new 
challenge for Tullow Ghana and  
one I am certain we will rise to.  
I am extremely proud that Tullow  
is at the forefront of unlocking 

Ghana’s oil resources and delivering 
on our promise to create shared 
prosperity. The development of the 
TEN fields has led to the creation of 
work for Ghanaian companies and 
will bring increased revenue to the 
Government of Ghana.

The team in Ghana has much to 
look forward to in 2016 and remains 
focused on creating value for 
Tullow, our shareholders and 
for Ghana.

CHARLES DARKU 
MANAGING DIRECTOR, TULLOW GHANA LTD.

Charles Darku, 
Managing Director, 
Tullow Ghana Ltd.

Welder working on TEN Project infrastructure at Technip yard in Takoradi, Ghana

www.tullowoil.com 

25

 
 
PROJECT 
TIMELINE

2013 – Centennial J arrives in Singapore

2013

May The Government of Ghana approved TEN Plan  
of Development 

October Work began on FPSO conversion in Singapore 

2014

Q2 All seismic work completed

July – August The FPSO’s module support stools –  
fabricated in Ghana – arrived in Singapore 

August FPSO entered dry dock 

2015

January 11 wells drilled and project 50% complete overall

February First subsea christmas tree assembly 
completed in Takoradi

July Construction of the FPSO’s mooring piles in Sekondi

July First subsea installation vessels arrived in Ghana

September FPSO naming ceremony  
in Singapore

November FPSO turret testing completed

2016

January FPSO departed from Singapore

March FPSO to arrive in Ghana

June Umbilical and riser installation to be completed

July – August First oil from the TEN field

2H 2016 Final commissioning and gradual production 
ramp up

2017

Plateau production reached 

Stay up to date with all the latest news on how  
we’re progressing: www.tullowoil.com

2013 – Project team onboard vessel, Singapore

2013-2016 – Drilling operations, Ghana

2014 – Module support stools, Ghana

2015 – FPSO mooring piles, Ghana

2015 – Helideck construction, Singapore

26 
26 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

2015 – Turret block lift, Singapore

THE TEN PROJECTSPECIAL FEATURE2014 – Ghana’s Energy Minister visits FPSO, Singapore

2014 – Turret under construction at the Keppel shipyard, Singapore

A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT

Seeing the FPSO leave Singapore was 
a huge milestone for us and, crucially, 
it sailed with minimal carry over. 

I would like to recognise the efforts of 
our major contractors and their sub-
contractors in keeping the project on 
schedule. Fabricating the equipment 
for a complex deepwater development 
is no mean feat and requires foresight 
and flexibility to adapt to changing 
circumstances and new challenges  
on a weekly basis.

I would also like to commend our 
contractors for their commitment to 

local content and note the 
contribution of Ghanaian companies 
to the project. All of our major 
contractors have over delivered on 
their local content commitments 
and each work package contains 
equipment built in Ghana. 

As we enter the home straight, we 
must stay focused so Tullow, our 
contractors and the people of Ghana 
can celebrate first oil later on 
this year.

TERRY HUGHES 
TEN PROJECT DIRECTOR

Terry Hughes, 
TEN Project Director

2016 – TEN FPSO departing Singapore en route to Ghana

www.tullowoil.com 
www.tullowoil.com 

27
27

 
 
 
 
THE TEN PROJECT

SUBSEA FACTS

Water depth: 1,000 – 2,000 metres

Flowlines: 70 km

Umbilicals: 60 km

Risers: 40 km

Riser Bases: 2

Christmas Trees: 24

Manifolds: 4 oil production manifolds 
and 1 gas export manifold

FIRST OIL WELLS

1   En03-WI

2  En01-WI

3  En06-WI

4  En08-P

5  En02-P

6  En05-P

7  Nt04-WI

8  Nt01-P

9  Nt03-P

10  Nt02-GI

PIPELINE LEGEND

 oil production flowline

 gas production/injection flowline

 water injection flowline

 umbilical

Semi-Submersible
Drilling Rig

2

1

6

3

Enyenra Manifold 1

5

Enyenra

Enyenra Manifold 2

Enyenra Manifold 3

TEN subsea installation vessels, offshore Ghana

Helipad on Viking Neptun, offshore Ghana

28 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

SPECIAL FEATUREOffloading  
Tanker

FPSO
(Floating Production Storage 
Offloading Vessel)

TNAG

Enyenra South Oil 
Production Riser Base

to Jubilee

Enyenra Manifold 1

Ntomme Oil
Production Riser Base

Ntomme

8

7

10

9

Ntomme Manifold

SUBSEA  
DELIVERY

The subsea installation campaign began in July 2015 and 
is progressing well. In total, 35,000 tonnes of equipment 
is being installed on the seabed in the TEN fields.

The first equipment to be installed was the FPSO’s nine 
anchor piles, which will hold the FPSO in position. These 
21 metre high steel cylinders, fabricated in Ghana, were 
installed in the seabed by the Normand Installer in 
July and August 2015.

The bulk of the subsea production equipment is being 
installed by the TS7 consortium (Technip and Subsea7). 
The Seven Borealis and Simar Esperanca operated in  
the fields in the second half of 2015. Their work scope 
included the installation of three Enyenra manifolds,  
one Ntomme manifold and the Enyenra and Ntomme oil 
production riser bases. At the same time, several pipe 
laying vessels completed the installation of flow lines 
on schedule.

The project’s umbilicals, which will connect the FPSO to 
the subsea equipment and have a total combined length 
of over 60 kilometres, arrived in Ghana in November 
2015. The installation of the first 10 was completed by  
the Viking Neptun in January 2016 and the remainder will 
be installed by the Deep Pioneer by the end of April 2016. 
The flexible risers, which will carry fluids to and from the 
FPSO, are being installed by the Deep Energy.

Following its arrival in the field, the FPSO will be hooked 
up to the subsea production system and commissioned. 
The final milestone in the campaign, the installation of  
all umbilicals and risers, is planned to be completed by 
June 2016.

Viking Neptun, subsea installation vessel, offshore Ghana

www.tullowoil.com 

29

 
 
FPSO  
NAMING  
CEREMONY

The TEN Project FPSO was officially named by Her Excellency the First Lady of 
the Republic of Ghana, Dr. Nana Lordina Mahama at a ceremony in Singapore  
on 30 September 2015. 

The vessel was named FPSO Prof. John Evans Atta Mills after the late President 
of Ghana who presided over First Oil from the Jubilee Field.

During the ceremony, Her Excellency paid tribute to the contribution of  
Ghanaian artisans to the construction of the FPSO. Ghanaian companies  
Seaweld Engineering Ltd and Orsam Ltd fabricated the module support stools 
which sit on the deck to support heavy equipment. In addition, the FPSO’s anchor 
piles, which will keep the vessel moored in place, were built in Ghana by Group 
Five Construction Ghana Ltd. The anchor piles were completed on time and are 
already installed in the seabed in the TEN fields, awaiting the arrival of the FPSO. 

The First Lady also met some of the Ghanaians who have been working on the 
construction of the vessel in Singapore, many of whom will be part of the crew 
that will operate the FPSO when it begins producing. 

Her Excellency commented: “It has been my great pleasure to officially name  
this magnificent FPSO today in honour of a true Ghanaian statesman, the late 
Professor Atta Mills.”

“I saw the impressive 
facilities onboard 
and it gives me 
great pride to know 
that this state-of-
the-art FPSO will 
be producing oil  
for Ghana for many 
years to come.”

DR. NANA LORDINA 
MAHAMA 
GHANA’S FIRST LADY

www.tullowoil.com 
www.tullowoil.com 

31
31

 
 
 
 
“During my time here in Singapore 
I have learnt how to piece the various 
aspects of a project together to ensure 
that it is delivered on time, according 
to design and on budget.”

GIDEON AGYEMAN 
OPERATIONS READINESS & ASSURANCE ENGINEER, 
GNPC (ON SECONDMENT WITH TULLOW) 

32 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

MODEC trainees onboard the TEN FPSO, Singapore

GHANAIAN 
SECONDEES  
IN SINGAPORE

The offshore oil business is relatively new to Ghana so, with the exception of those working 
on the Jubilee field, opportunities for Ghanaians to gain experience have been rather limited. 
The TEN Plan of Development included commitments by Tullow Oil and its partners to 
create opportunities for Ghanaians to gain experience and develop skills as integral 
members of the project team.

Since 2013, a total of 52 Ghanaians from GNPC, the Petroleum Commission of Ghana  
and Tullow Ghana Ltd have spent time on secondment with the TEN Project team in  
London, Singapore, Houston and Ghana.

The secondees have worked in a variety of roles including Subsea Engineer, FPSO 
Commissioning Engineer, Geologist and Project Finance Manager. They have developed 
skills and experience relevant to a major offshore development project, making them  
well placed to contribute to future oil developments in Ghana.

In addition, 30 Ghanaian nationals worked on the FPSO conversion with MODEC in 
Singapore. Fifteen of these trainees completed the Level 3 General Vocational Qualification 
– Diploma in Process Operations. Ten of these Ghanaian engineers were members of the 
crew for the vessel’s voyage to Ghana and many more will be part of the team that 
operates the FPSO.

Ghanaian secondees on 
the TEN FPSO in Singapore

www.tullowoil.com 

33

 
 
OPERATIONS Q&A

STRONG OPERATIONAL 
PROGRESS 

Our Chief Operating Officer, Paul McDade, and Exploration Director, Angus McCoss, discuss 
Tullow’s progress and challenges in 2015 and the Group’s plans for the year ahead.

Q Tullow has reacted to lower oil prices  
by implementing the Major Simplification 
Project (MSP) to restructure the organisation, 
reduce costs and increase efficiency. How  
has this project changed Tullow’s approach  
to operations?

PM: MSP has not fundamentally changed our approach to 
Development and Production, but it has certainly made our 
teams more efficient and cost conscious, which was a major 
objective of the project. We now have three Business Delivery 
Teams (BDTs), West Africa, East Africa and New Ventures, 
and these groups have been more empowered by the shift  
in the organisational design. Each of the BDTs has a clear 
purpose and work programme to deliver and, through a 
more rigorous approach to performance management,  
the BDTs are continually challenged by the Senior Leaders 
across the Group to ensure these activities are being 
delivered in a safe and efficient manner. We have not 
compromised on any of our Safety, Sustainability and 
External Affairs (SSEA) standards, and this remains a  
focus of every aspect of our operations. 

MSP was not only about people, it was also about reducing 
and simplifying processes and we have now implemented  
a new, simpler Integrated Management System (IMS)  
which more clearly sets out all our Policies and Standards  
which all staff can access online. The IMS houses all the 
documents which define how we go about our operations 
and sets appropriate standards and accountabilities. 

AM: As Aidan mentioned in his statement, exploration 
continues to be key to Tullow’s organic long-term growth. 
MSP has impacted all teams across Tullow but it has not 
changed the fundamentals of finding oil. Given where  
Tullow is in its business cycle, with our focus on creating 
value from our oil discoveries and in the context of the 
industry downturn, we have proactively reduced our near-
term exploration drilling investments. We have been working 
hard to do more with less and we continue to build on our 
exploration portfolio and execute strategic deals to bring  
in good partners and share our capital exposures and risks.  
While it’s been hard to say farewell to members of the team, 
we retain some of the best minds and talent in the industry, 
who are focused and driven to be leading explorers, using 
cutting-edge technology and scientific methods to discover  
a low-cost supply of oil. 

34 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORT“We retain some of the best minds and talent in 
the industry, who are focused and driven to be 
leading explorers, using cutting-edge technology 
and scientific methods to discover  
a low-cost supply of oil.”

In exploration and development geosciences, our priorities 
are capturing material new acreage positions through  
the New Ventures Business Delivery Team, supported  
by seasoned functional experts. We are also focused  
on maturing ‘drill-worthy’ prospects and leads and 
discovering and appraising valuable oil.

Q Capital allocations were adjusted in 2015, 
what activities have you prioritised?

PM: Development of the TEN field in Ghana has been a 
priority in 2015, and this past year was the most capital 
intensive period of the project, with around $0.9 billion 
invested. In 2016, the capital outlay on the development  
of TEN will be around $0.6 billion. I am pleased that this 
important project remains on track and on budget, with  
first oil due in July or August 2016. Keeping this deepwater 
project on schedule and within budget is a testament to 
Tullow’s project delivery skills, and this ability to deliver  
is very important to the Company as it will see us steadily 
increase Group net production to around 100,000 bopd, 
supporting the cash flow generation of the business.

Tullow also allocated capital to Jubilee where we  
have maintained gross production levels averaging  
102,600 bopd (36,400 bopd net to Tullow), exceeding 
guidance. This low-cost production means we can generate 
positive cash flows, even at these low oil prices. In 2016,  
we expect production costs to reduce further and we will 
continue to scrutinise every dollar of capital allocated as  
we manage this world-class asset in the current low oil 
price environment. We continued to invest capital in our 
portfolio of non-operated assets in West Africa, maintaining 
production in 2015 at 30,200 bopd. As we go into 2016, we 
expect the level of capital allocation on these assets to be 
reduced significantly. 

AM: We prioritised the E&A programme in East Africa to  
fully underpin the estimated 600 mmbo gross recoverable 
resources discovered in the South Lokichar Basin in Kenya. 
This saw us drill nine successful appraisal wells and 
complete extended well tests at the Ngamia and Amosing 
fields which enabled us to gain useful data to support 
development planning. We also continued to explore further 
undrilled basins in our Kenyan acreage. We drilled three 
wildcat wells, and although we did not make any commercial 

discoveries, there have been encouraging signs of working 
petroleum systems which keep us very interested in the 
region’s oil potential. We have also progressed our initial 
studies in the Caribbean-Guyanas, completing a seismic 
survey offshore Suriname and bathymetric and drop core 
studies in Jamaica. Our New Ventures team remains very 
encouraged by the studies being undertaken in this under-
explored region and this is reflected through farm-ins by 
reputable industry partners and additional acreage we  
have picked up in Guyana. 

Q Is East Africa still a priority? 

PM: East Africa is a very significant project for Tullow with 
estimated gross resources of around 2,300 mmbo and  
the low development cost of the project very much suits  
the current low oil price environment. We remain fully 
committed to progressing this development and continue  
to work closely with the Governments of Uganda and Kenya 
to ensure that all parties will benefit from a combined  
East African development of the Lake Albert (Uganda)  
and South Lokichar (Kenya) discoveries. In Kenya we  
have now completed the planned appraisal programme  
of the South Lokichar Basin and this enabled us to submit  
a draft field development plan to the Government of Kenya  
in December 2015. We expect to be in a position to finalise 
the development plan with the Government in 2016. In 
Uganda, the development plans have already been  
submitted and we are now discussing the award of  
the Production Licences with the Government.

The next milestones towards achieving a Final Investment 
Decision (FID) include agreeing pipeline routing, completing 
FEED for the pipeline and upstream developments and 
finalising the commercial agreement. 

AM: We have previously stated that we see the exploration 
potential of a billion barrels of oil in the South Lokichar 
Basin and we still stand by this. The Etom-2 appraisal well  
in December 2015 opened up a new area in the far north  
of the basin. This area has an unrisked potential of around 
350 mmbo. Due to the completion of a 3D seismic survey in 
the area, we have a much clearer picture of how we can build 
on the already discovered resources. We are considering how 
we can incorporate this important area into our development 
plans and will be reviewing our 2016 exploration programme 
to see if we can test some of the undrilled prospects in the 
north of the basin. 

www.tullowoil.com 

35

1 
 
OPERATIONS Q&A CONTINUED

deflation in development costs. Independent studies indicate 
that our East African development could benefit from an 
overall capital cost reduction of over 20 per cent, further 
reducing the development cost of this attractive development.

Q What are you looking forward to in 2016?

AM: Despite a highly focused budget in 2016, we continue  
to be excited about our Kenyan acreage and a series of 
prospects being prepared for drilling in the South Lokichar 
Basin. We are also encouraged by the opportunities in the 
market for new acreage, and the team is busy looking into  
all these opportunities in Africa and South America. We  
hope to be in some new licences by the end of 2016 and  
we will be preparing for drilling operations in 2017, where  
we plan to drill some key ‘trigger wells’ looking for basin 
opening success.

Q How has the exploration market changed?

AM: There’s been a lot less exploration around the world and 
in turn fewer barrels discovered as companies, like Tullow, 
have reduced exploration and appraisal capex and focused 
on near-term cash flow. We drilled three wildcats and nine 
appraisal wells in Kenya, a single exploration well in  
Gabon, Pakistan and Suriname and we participated in  
three wildcats in Norway. Additionally, three non-operated 
low-equity appraisal wells supported our gas production 
from the Netherlands. From 20 wells, 10 were commercially 
successful, with the Pakistan well result pending flow testing 
in 2016. From our experience in 2015, the exploration 
industry remains buoyant in terms of farm-outs and 
farm-ins and it is clear that our existing exploration acreage 
is highly valued within the industry. Tullow has successfully 
reduced its equity levels in a number of licences, in order to 
reduce its exposure to costs and gain carries for exploration 
activities. We’re focused on 
refreshing and high grading 
our portfolio and 
concentrating on seismic 
interpretation in order to 
identify and prepare the best 
drill-ready prospects for 
when the cycle turns and 
capital becomes available 
for our team  
of explorers. 

“It will be good to see our teams continue  
to capably adapt to this changing oil price 
environment, whilst not compromising our high 
operating standards and ensuring that we 
continue to reduce costs and maximise revenue.”

PM: Delivery of first oil at 
TEN in July or August will  
be a very special event for 
Ghana, Tullow and our 
Partners. We are all focused 
on safely completing the 
final stages of this project  
on time and on budget,  
and achieving this will be  
a testament to our teams’ 
capability, our contractors’ 
delivery and the 

Q Has the oil price decline resulted in Tullow’s 
operating costs falling? 

PM: In our operated assets in Ghana, we are starting to  
see our underlying operating costs (opex) reduce, due to  
the impact of both market deflation and increased efficiency 
post the implementation of MSP. The market deflation is 
industry wide as service providers adjust to the low oil  
price environment we are currently in and this will lead  
to continued downward pressure on opex in our operated 
and non-operated assets. We are taking the opportunity  
to renegotiate many of our contracts, where appropriate,  
to take advantage of this market deflation. In addition, as we 
start up production from the TEN fields, we will benefit from 
the significant synergies from the shared resources that will 
service the increased production volume. In addition to the 
reduction in operating costs, we are seeing very significant 

Partnership’s ongoing commitment to Ghana. In addition  
to TEN, it will be good to see our teams continue to capably 
adapt to this changing oil price environment, whilst not 
compromising our high operating standards and ensuring 
that we continue to reduce costs and maximise revenue.

MORE INFORMATION

TEN special feature 

Operations review  

Responsible Operations 

22

37

46

36 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTOPERATIONS REVIEW

FOCUS ON OPERATIONAL 
DELIVERY 

Tullow’s operations are managed by three Business Delivery Teams for West Africa, East Africa 
and New Ventures. The Group has delivered strong operational performance in 2015 across  
its portfolio of exploration, development and production assets. 

WEST AFRICA

Regional information 2015
Countries
Licences
Acreage (sq km) 
Production (boepd)
Reserves & resources (mmboe)
Sales revenue ($m)
2015 investment ($m)

Key Offices

7
55
16,571
73,400
559
1,607
1,286

*  West Africa BDT manages Mauritanian production

Ghana
Jubilee
The Jubilee field exceeded its gross production target  
during 2015, averaging 102,600 bopd (net: 36,400 bopd). A 
stable rate of gas offtake has been achieved following final 
commissioning of the onshore gas processing plant in March 
2015, averaging around 90 mmscfd in the fourth quarter of 
the year. This strong gas export performance significantly 
reduced the requirement for gas reinjection at the field. 
Tullow is forecasting Jubilee 2016 average production  
to be around 101,000 bopd gross (net: 36,000 bopd).  
This reflects the impact of a planned two week FPSO 

maintenance shutdown scheduled for March 2016 and  
a period of reduced water injection capacity during the  
first half of the year which is currently being addressed. 

During the year, Jubilee Phase 1A drilling and completions 
continued with two oil producers coming on stream in 
September and December and a water injector which  
has yet to be completed. With the Phase 1A investment 
programme nearing completion, Tullow and partners 
submitted the Greater Jubilee Full Field Development 
(GJFFD) Plan in December 2015 and discussions are  
ongoing with the Government regarding its progress. This 
project, to extend field production and increase commercial 
reserves, has been redesigned given the current 
environment to reduce the overall capital requirement  
and allow flexibility in the timing of the capital investment. 
During 2016 and beyond, a continued focus on cost reduction 
opportunities and the careful balancing of future capital 
investment initiatives, including infill drilling as part of the 
GJFFD, will be key as Tullow seeks to ensure maximum 
return on investment from this world-class oil field. 

TEN
The TEN Project continues to make excellent progress, is 
over 85 per cent complete, and remains within budget and  
on schedule for first oil between July and August 2016. To 
date, all the key milestones of the project have been met, 
including the sailaway of the TEN FPSO from Singapore to 
Ghana on 23 January 2016. The vessel sailed with almost 
zero ‘carry over’, which means that only 2,000 man hours  
out of a total 17 million man hours of work remain to be 
completed during the vessel’s journey to Ghana, a very 
significant industry achievement. Arrival in Ghana is 
expected to be in early March and the vessel will move 
directly to the installation phase where it will be fixed to the 
seabed using pre-installed anchor chains and piles. This is 
followed by the hook-up of subsea facilities to the FPSO via 
flowline risers and control umbilicals, much of which has 
also been pre-installed. The 11 pre-drilled wells are now 
being completed with the sixth completion under way. The 
integrated facilities will undergo final commissioning and 
testing during the second quarter and following start-up, a 
gradual ramp up in production towards plateau is anticipated 
during the second half of 2016. Tullow estimates that TEN 
average production in 2016 will be around 23,000 bopd  
gross (net: 11,000 bopd). 

www.tullowoil.com 

37

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OPERATIONS REVIEW CONTINUED

Tullow operative on the Jubilee FPSO, offshore Ghana

TEN FPSO in Singapore, prior to sailaway

The overall gross capex cost of the development remains  
at around $5 billion, without FPSO lease costs. Total gross 
capex to first oil is expected to be around $4 billion after 
which the remaining capex is largely associated with the 
drilling and completion of an additional 13 wells. The export 
of associated gas from the TEN field is scheduled to start  
up one year after first oil. Tullow is guiding 2016 net capex 
for the development to be around $600 million with 
approximately 75 per cent being spent in the first half  
of the year in preparation for first oil. 

In April 2015, the Special Chamber of the International 
Tribunal of the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) in Hamburg rejected 
Côte d’Ivoire’s request that Ghana be ordered to suspend all 
oil exploration and exploitation in the disputed zone including 
the TEN Project. ITLOS ordered a number of provisional 
measures which both Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire are required 
to comply with, including continued cooperation and ‘no  
new drilling’ until ITLOS gives its decision on the maritime 
boundary dispute, which is expected in late 2017. It is 
therefore assumed that development drilling will not 
recommence until the ITLOS proceedings have completed.

West Africa non-operated portfolio
Working interest oil production from Tullow’s non-operated 
West African portfolio was in line with guidance in 2015, 
averaging 30,200 bopd net. The region still generates 
important operating cash flow for the Group with a low 
average operating cost of $15.0/bbl. Production from the 
region is expected to be around 29,500 bopd net in 2016. 
Capital investment on development activities in 2016 will be 
reduced to around $100 million net to Tullow versus spend  
in 2015 of around $200 million. The strategy across the 
portfolio is to target investment decisions on activities  
that limit the decline rates of these mature fields. 

In Côte d’Ivoire, the first five wells of the Espoir Phase 3 infill 
campaign have successfully been completed. Around 14,000 
bopd gross have been added to the Espoir field’s production 
since the start of the drilling programme. Up to a further  
six wells are due to be drilled in 2016 which will continue  
to support strong production from the field.

In Congo (Brazzaville), additional infill wells were drilled 
across the M’Boundi field during 2015. The rig was released 
in July and the partners are reviewing field performance 
before a rig returns to drill a further three wells in the 
second half of 2016. 

In Equatorial Guinea, activity during 2015 focused on 
improving operating efficiencies and asset integrity at the 
Hess operated Ceiba and Okume fields. A subsea workover 
on an existing Ceiba well will be completed in the second 
quarter 2016. The Joint Venture is currently reviewing the 
new 4D seismic shot over the Okume Complex to prepare an 
infill inventory to restart drilling on Elon and Oveng in 2017.

In Gabon, the drilling programmes on the Perenco operated 
fields finished in late 2015. Field performance reviews are 
taking place with the hopes of restarting drilling late 2016. 
The Etame infill drilling programme yielded good results at 
the new Etame and SEENT wellhead platforms. Focusing on 
driving down operating costs remains a key objective ahead 
of a potential resumption in drilling operations in late 2016 
or early 2017. During the year, Tullow regained its 7.5 per 
cent stake in the Onal Complex producing fields and the 
Ezanga block (formerly the Omoueyi exploration block). In 
addition, Tullow has been granted licence extensions in the 
Onal Complex fields until 2034 and has gained access to two 
small oil discoveries made within the Ezanga block in 2014. 
In return for access to these discoveries, it was agreed that 
the effective date of the new licence would be 1 August 2015.

38 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTEAST AFRICA

Completion of the appraisal drilling and testing campaign  
in the South Lokichar Basin underpins an estimated gross 
contingent recoverable resource base of 600 mmbo. The new 
3D seismic, which was used to locate the Etom-2 well which 
encountered the best oil reservoir quality to date, indicates 
significant remaining exploration prospectivity in the greater 
Etom area. This supports an upside potential of 1 billion 
barrels of oil in the South Lokichar Basin. Plans for further 
exploration drilling to test this upside will be evaluated 
during the first half of 2016.

Outside of the South Lokichar Basin, frontier exploration 
activity continued in 2015. Three potential basin opening 
exploration wells were drilled across Tullow’s extensive 
Kenyan acreage in the North Kerio (Epir-1), North Turkana 
(Engomo-1) and North Lokichar (Emesek-1) Basins. While 
none of the wells were discoveries, they have provided 
valuable data to assess the wider prospectivity of the basins. 
There is significant remaining exploration potential in the 
basins outside of South Lokichar and future basin opening 
exploration drilling plans are currently being evaluated. 

Regional information 2015
Countries
Licences
Acreage (sq km) 
Reserves & resources (mmboe)
2015 investment ($m)

Key Offices

2
9
50,344
636
305

The Cheptuket-1 exploration well in Block 12A spudded on 
28 December. The well will test a basin bounding structural 
closure in the undrilled Kerio Valley Basin, in a similar 
structural setting to the successful Ngamia and Amosing 
discoveries in the South Lokichar Basin. Cheptuket-1 will 
likely complete drilling in late February after which the PR 
Marriott Rig-46 will demobilise, marking the end of the 
current drilling campaign. 

In November, Tullow agreed to farm down 25 per cent of  
its 65 per cent operated working interest in Block 12A to 
Delonex for a carry. This farm-down was completed on  
28 January 2016.

Kenya
In 2015, Tullow’s activities in Kenya largely focused on 
completing the appraisal of the South Lokichar Basin 
discoveries, gaining important reservoir data for the field 
development plans. Nine appraisal wells were drilled and 
five Extended Well Tests (EWTs) were successfully completed 
at the Ngamia and Amosing fields. 

Successful appraisal wells drilled included Ngamia-7, 8 and 
9, Amosing-3, 4 and 5, Twiga-3, Ekales-2 and Etom-2. In 
December, Etom-2, the most recent well drilled in the South 
Lokichar Basin, discovered 102 metres of net oil pay in high 
quality reservoir sands in an untested fault block identified 
on new 3D seismic. The results of these appraisal wells have 
significantly advanced the subsurface definition of the main 
South Lokichar discoveries.

The EWTs conducted at the Amosing and Ngamia fields  
have demonstrated production rates and reservoir continuity 
over distances suitable for field development. In the Amosing 
EWT, five separate zones were completed in the Amosing-1 
and 2 wells. The five zones produced at a cumulative average 
constrained rate of 4,300 bopd oil under natural flow 
conditions and good pressure communication was observed 
between the wells. For the Ngamia EWTs, five separate 
zones were completed in the Ngamia-3, 6 and 8 wells. The 
five zones produced at a cumulative average constrained rate 
of 2,400 bopd and all except the lowest zone produced under 
natural flow conditions. During the EWTs, approximately 
68,000 barrels of oil were produced into storage. 

PR Marriott Rig-46 at the Etom-2 well site, Kenya

www.tullowoil.com 

39

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OPERATIONS REVIEW CONTINUED

Uganda
In Uganda, all appraisal activities and pre-FEED studies  
have been completed. Significant progress has been made 
on several fiscal matters and in June 2015, the Government 
of Uganda announced that it had amended the VAT Act to 
exempt oil exploration and development from VAT. Later in 
June, Tullow announced that it had agreed to pay the Uganda 
Revenue Authority $250 million in full and final settlement  
of its CGT liability for the farm-downs to Total and CNOOC 
completed in 2012. This sum comprises $142 million that 
Tullow paid in 2012 and $108 million to be paid in three equal 
instalments. The first of these was paid upon settlement and 
the remainder will be paid in 2016 and 2017. These decisions 
are important steps towards the sanction of the Lake Albert 
development. In July 2015, Tullow prequalified for the 
upcoming Uganda exploration bid round and evaluation is 
currently under way ahead of the 26 February bid deadline.

East Africa development 
Good progress continues to be made on development 
planning in Kenya. A draft Field Development Plan was 
submitted to the Government of Kenya in December and  
will inform discussions as we progress towards potential  
FID of both the Kenya and Uganda upstream development 
projects and preparation for FEED is under way in both 
countries. Scoping studies and terms of reference for  
the detailed upstream environmental and social impact 
assessments were submitted to the regulatory authorities  
in both countries. 

In August 2015, a bilateral agreement was reached between 
the Presidents of Uganda and Kenya adopting the Northern 
Kenya route for the regional crude oil pipeline, subject to 
certain conditions. These conditions, which include ensuring 
that this is the lowest cost route, are being worked on by 
both Governments in conjunction with the Kenyan and 
Ugandan upstream parties.

Drilling at Amosing discovery, Kenya

40 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

NEW VENTURES

Regional information 2015
Countries
Licences
Acreage (sq km) 
Reserves & resources (mmboe)
2015 investment ($m)

Key Offices

13
58
241,056
102
129

Over 2015, Tullow has undertaken a strategic review of its 
New Ventures portfolio to determine how it can best use  
this period of reduced industry exploration activity to prepare 
for future growth. The focus has been on enhancing Tullow’s 
licence and prospect inventory in preparation for increasing 
drilling activity in future years. The Group has also been 
actively managing its current equity positions and exposure 
to drilling costs across the portfolio through various 
transactions for carried interests. A number of farm-downs 
are under way across the portfolio and this work will 
continue in the coming year. In 2016, our main focus  
will be to continue to selectively replenish and high  
grade the exploration portfolio for future growth. 

Africa
In Mauritania, 2D seismic was acquired in the Block C-3 
licence during the first quarter of 2015. Tullow is hopeful  
of acquiring a new 3D survey across the shelf prospectivity  
in Blocks C-3 and C-10 during the next 12 to 24 months, to 
determine the exploration potential of both licences and 
areas for future exploration activity. In June 2015, the  
Group agreed to farm down a 13.5 per cent interest in  
Block C-10 to Sterling Energy. 

In Guinea, discussions have been ongoing with the 
Government and our Partners regarding the resumption  
of petroleum operations. SCS Corporation, a subsidiary of 
Hyperdynamics Corporation, has unilaterally declared these 
discussions to be at an impasse and has commenced legal 
action against the other members of the joint venture.

STRATEGIC REPORTIn Gabon, further 3D seismic data was acquired during Q1 
2015 in the Arouwe block, the results of which are currently 
under review. In Namibia, interpretation of the 3D survey 
across the PEL30 and PEL37 licences has yielded significant 
prospectivity in shallow water in close proximity to the 
Wingat well in the adjacent licence which encountered  
oil in the Cretaceous.

South America and Caribbean
Tullow has been active in the South America and Caribbean 
region in 2015, an area the Group considers to have great 
potential. In Suriname, a 4,000 sq km 3D seismic 
programme of the Tullow-operated offshore Block 54 
completed in September 2015. This was followed by a 20 per 
cent farm out of Block 54 in October 2015 to Noble for a 
carry, leaving Tullow with a 30 per cent interest and retained 
operatorship. Tullow and its partners are reviewing the very 
encouraging results of the seismic programme ahead of 
selecting future drilling prospects. In the neighbouring Block 
47, a two-year licence extension has been granted and a drop 
core survey is planned to be completed in 2016. The Spari-1 
well in offshore Block 31 was completed in August 2015 and 
was subsequently plugged and abandoned. Despite the 
presence of targeted Campanian turbidite sands in the well, 
no significant hydrocarbon shows were encountered. 

In Guyana, Tullow and its Partners continue to evaluate and 
map prospectivity in the offshore Kanuku licence and an 18 
month extension has been requested to allow a new 3D 
survey to be acquired. In early 2016, Tullow was awarded a  
60 per cent operated interest in the Orinduik licence, a 1,801 
square kilometre block offshore Guyana. Both of Tullow’s 
Guyana licences sit close to Exxon Mobil’s ‘Liza’ oil discovery 
which was announced in 2015. 

In Jamaica, a 2D seismic survey is under way over the  
32,056 sq km Walton Morant licence and will be completed  
in the first quarter of 2016 to delineate potential plays in 
shallow water. In Uruguay, good progress has been made  
in mapping the large 3D dataset and a number of prospects 
have been identified.

South American Exploration team members, Dublin

Europe
Exploration activity continued offshore Norway in 2015  
with the non-operated Bjaaland, Zumba and Salander wells. 
All three wells were unsuccessful and were plugged and 
abandoned. Tullow actively managed its equity position and 
exposure to drilling costs in Norway and the Group reduced 
its equity in the Zumba well from 60 per cent to 40 per cent 
(paying 32.5 per cent) and farmed out its remaining  
20 per cent interest in the unsuccessful Hagar well  
in PL650, ahead of drilling for a cash payment. 

In Norway, the Group made applications in the 23rd licensing 
round and was recently awarded eight licences in the 2015 
APA licence round. In 2016, four wells are planned to be 
drilled to test the Cara prospect adjacent to the Gjoa field, 
the Rovarkula prospect adjacent to the Ivar Hansen field,  
the Rome well adjacent to the Johan Sverdrup field and a 
recently spudded horizontal well in the Wisting Discovery. 

Asia
The Kup-1 well in the Kalchas block in Pakistan, in which 
Tullow has a 30 per cent non-operated stake, reached  
total depth in December 2015. Over 400 metres of weak  
gas shows were encountered in fractured sandstone 
reservoirs and a drill stem test programme has commenced 
to establish hydrocarbon presence and productivity. In 
January 2016, Tullow agreed to sell a 20 per cent interest  
in the Bannu West licence in Pakistan to Mari Petroleum. 
The deal is subject to Government approval. 

BGP Challenger at quayside prior to 2D seismic survey in Jamaica

www.tullowoil.com 

41

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FINANCE & PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

MAINTAINING LIQUIDITY AND 
MAXIMISING CASH FLOW

Tullow continues to focus on driving down costs and capital expenditure to maintain liquidity  
and deliver our operational commitments. 

savings incurred through headcount reductions and 
associated costs, our contract and procurement teams are 
working hard with suppliers to deliver savings on current 
and future contracts, which will reduce expenditure in the 
years to come and improve the profitability of our business. 

At the end of 2014, we made a decisive shift in our capital 
allocation to prioritise key development projects that 
generate current and future high margin production for the 
business. I am pleased to say that our West Africa portfolio 
of oil producing fields met their production targets for the 
year and were largely responsible for the $1 billion of pre-tax 
operating cash flow that the Group generated in 2015. The 
largest single element of our 2015 $1.7 billon capital 
expenditure was the $900 million investment in the TEN 
Project. This development has been expertly executed  
and remains on schedule and on budget for first oil in  
July/August 2016. The completion of the TEN Project will  
end the current capital intensive period and this is reflected 
in our lower 2016 capital expenditure forecast of up  
to $1.1 billion, with work ongoing to potentially reduce  
this to $0.9 billion. 

Having ensured we maximise our current and future cash 
flows, the final element of our strategy of maintaining a 
strong liquidity position has been ensuring our lending banks 
continue to support the business. I am once again pleased to 
report that we completed the two routine re-determinations 
in 2015 and, due to the long-term, high-quality oil assets in 
the portfolio, we were able to increase the debt capacity of 
the RBL and Corporate Facility in March by $450 million.  
As a result we have exited 2015 with headroom facility 
capacity and free cash of around $1.9 billion, providing 
sufficient headroom to take the TEN Project to first oil in 
mid-2016. Whilst net debt at the year end was $4.0 billion 
and our net debt to EBITDAX ratio was 4 times, it is not our 
intention to continue at this high gearing level. The long-
term aspiration of the Group is to run the business at around 
2 times net debt to EBITDAX and that target remains. We 
intend to achieve this organically over time through our 
high-margin West Africa oil production and continued 
disciplined capital allocation. We can decrease our capex  
if market conditions fail to improve and our portfolio will 
generate free cash flow even at very low oil prices. We  
intend to accelerate de-leveraging through strategic  
portfolio management, which has always been a key part  
of Tullow’s strategy and will remain so in the coming years.

The challenging business environment that the oil and gas 
sector is experiencing and the requirement to fund the 
capital intensive TEN Project, have meant that maintaining 
strong liquidity has been a key priority for Tullow in 2015.  
The combination of our excellent hedging programme, the 
suspension of our dividend, expanding the capacity of our 
debt facilities, cutting exploration capital expenditure and 
going through a significant cost cutting exercise has  
enabled Tullow to maintain liquidity.

Maximising our cash flow has been key and we have 
benefited significantly from our hedging programme, which 
has contributed some $365 million to the revenue of the 
business in 2015. The hedging programme will continue  
to provide future cash flow benefits to the business and  
the mark-to-market value of the hedges looking forward  
at the end of 2015 was $623 million. 

A focus on cost savings and improving efficiency has also 
positively benefited our cash flows. We initiated the Major 
Simplification Project at the end of 2014 and forecast that 
over the next three years from mid-2015, we will generate 
around $500 million in cash cost savings. In addition to cost 

42 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTFinancial results summary

Working interest production volume (boepd)
Sales volume (boepd)
Realised oil price ($/bbl)
Realised gas price (p/therm)
Sales revenue ($m)
Cash operating costs ($per boe)
Exploration write-off ($m)
Impairment of property, plant and equipment ($m)
Operating loss ($m)
Loss before tax ($m)
Loss after tax ($m)
Basic loss per share (cents)
Cash generated from operations (before working capital) ($m)
Operating cash flow (before working capital) per boe ($/bbl)
Dividend per share (pence)
Capital investment ($m)
Net debt ($m)
Gearing (net debt/net assets plus net debt) (%)

2015
 73,400 
 67,600 
 67.0 
 41.8 
 1,607 
 15.1 
 749 
 406 
 (1,094)
 (1,297)
 (1,037)
 (113.6)
 967 
 35.9 
 – 
 1,720 
 4,019 
56

2014
 75,200 
 67,400 
 97.5 
 51.7 
 2,213 
 18.6 
 1,657 
 596 
 (1,965)
 (2,047)
 (1,640)
 (170.9)
 1,545 
 56.1 
 4.0 
 2,020 
 3,103 
44

Change
-2%
0%
-31%
-19%
-27%
-19%
-55%
-32%
44%
37%
37%
34%
-37%
-36%
–
-15%
30%
12

Production and commodity prices 
Working interest production averaged 73,400 boepd, a 
decrease of 2% for the year (2014: 75,200 boepd). Growth  
in low cost West Africa oil production was offset by the  
end of field life declines in UK gas production, the partial 
farm-down of the Schooner and Ketch gas fields in October 
2014 and the disposal of the Netherlands Q&L blocks in  
April 2015. Sales volumes for West Africa oil and European 
gas averaged 60,000 bopd and 7,600 boepd respectively.

On average, oil prices in 2015 were lower than in 2014  
due to the oil price falling significantly since the third  
quarter 2014. Realised oil price after hedging for 2015 was 
US$67.0/bbl (2014: US$97.5/bbl), a decrease of 31% versus  
a 47% decrease in Brent oil prices over the period. European 
gas prices in 2015 were lower than 2014. The realised 
European gas price after hedging for 2015 was 41.8 pence/
therm (2014: 51.7 pence/therm), a decrease of 19%.

Operating costs, depreciation, impairments and expenses
Underlying cash operating costs, which exclude depletion 
and amortisation and movements in underlift / overlift, 
amounted to $406 million; $15.1/boe (2014: $512 million; 
$18.6/boe). The decrease of 19% in underlying cash 
operating costs per barrel is principally due to increased 
West African production combined with ongoing cost savings 
and the impact of the farm-down and disposal in the UK and 
Netherlands which have higher than average cash operating 
costs per barrel.

DD&A charges before impairment on production and 
development assets amounted to $551 million; $20.5/boe 
(2014: $572 million; $20.8/boe). The Group recognised an 
impairment charge of $406 million (2014: $596 million) in 
respect of lower forecast oil and gas prices and an increase 
in anticipated future decommissioning costs, offset both by 
impairment write backs in Gabon due to increased reserves 
and by lower forecast decommissioning costs in the UK. The 

impairment charge net of tax amounted to $357 million.  
The Group recognised an impairment in relation to goodwill 
of $54 million (2014: $133 million).

Administrative expenses of $194 million (2014: $192 million) 
include an amount of $48 million (2014: $38 million) 
associated with IFRS 2 – Share-based Payment accruals. 
The MSP was undertaken during 2015, is on track to deliver 
cash savings of around $500 million over a three-year period 
and has resulted in a workforce reduction of 37% to date. 

During 2015, the Group recognised a provision for 
restructuring costs of $45 million. After recharges to JV 
partners the net restructuring cost included in the income 
statement is $41 million. This has been presented separately 
from administrative expenses in the income statement.

Exploration costs written off

Total costs written off
Exploration costs written off
Associated deferred tax credit
Net exploration costs written off

2015  
$m
(749)
277
(472)

2014  
$m
(1,657)
398
(1,259)

During 2015, the Group spent $256 million, including Norway 
exploration costs on a post-tax basis, on exploration and 
appraisal activities and has written off $130 million in 
relation to this expenditure. This included write-offs in 
Suriname ($28 million), Norway ($11 million), Kenya 
($28 million) and new venture costs ($19 million). In addition, 
the Group has written off $343 million in relation to prior 
years’ expenditure as a result of a review of future work 
programmes based on capital relocation to focus on the 
Group’s key development projects and the impact of the 
current low oil price environment. This included write-offs  
in the Netherlands ($186 million), Guinea ($54 million), 
Greenland ($39 million), Ethiopia ($35 million), Gabon  
($9 million) and Madagascar ($11 million). 

www.tullowoil.com 

43

1 
 
FINANCE & PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Provision for onerous contracts
At the end of 2015, Tullow has provided $186 million for 
onerous service contracts due to the reduction in planned 
future activity.

Derivative financial instruments
Tullow undertakes hedging activities as part of the ongoing 
management of its business risk to protect against volatility 
and to ensure the availability of cash flow for reinvestment in 
capital programmes that are driving business growth.

At 31 December 2015, the Group’s derivative instruments 
had a net positive fair value of $623 million (2014: positive 
$471 million), net of deferred premium ($101 million). While 
all of the Group’s commodity derivative instruments currently 
qualify for hedge accounting, a pre-tax charge of $59 million 
(2014: credit of $51 million) in relation to the change in time 
value of the Group’s commodity derivative instruments has 
been recognised in the income statement for 2015.

Hedge position
Oil hedges
Volume – bopd
Average floor 
price protected 
($/bbl)

2016

2017

2018

36,511

23,000

9,500

75.14

72.94

62.09

Net financing costs
The net interest charge for the year was $145 million  
(2014: $134 million). The increase in finance costs is 
associated with an increase in net debt but partially offset by 
an increase in capitalised interest on the TEN development.  
The 2015 net interest charge includes interest incurred on 
the Group’s debt facilities and the decommissioning finance 
charge offset by interest earned on cash deposits and 
borrowing costs capitalised principally against the Ugandan 
assets and the TEN development.

Taxation
The net tax credit of $260 million (2014: $408 million, credit) 
relates to a tax charge in respect of the Group’s North Sea, 
Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Ghanaian production activities 
offset by the tax credits arising from Norwegian exploration 
and deferred tax credits associated with exploration write-
offs and impairments. After adjusting for disposals, 
restructuring costs, exploration write-offs and impairments, 
the related deferred tax benefit in relation to the exploration 
write-offs and impairments and profits/losses on disposal, 
the Group’s underlying effective tax rate was 29%  
(2014: 24%). The increase in underlying effective tax rate  
is primarily a result of lower PSC income and the tax credit 
recognised on the derivative financial instruments in 2014.

Loss after tax from continuing activities and basic 
earnings per share
The loss from continuing activities for the year amounted  
to $1,037 million (2014: $1,640 million loss). Basic loss  
per share was 113.6 cents (2014: 170.9 cents loss).

Dividend per share 
In view of the fall in the oil price, the Board suspended  
the dividend in early 2015. At a time when Tullow is focusing 
on capital allocation, financial flexibility and cost reductions, 
the Board believes that Tullow and its shareholders are 
better served by investing these funds into the business.

Operating cash flow
Operating cash flow before working capital movements 
decreased by 37% to $1.0 billion (2014: $1.5 billion) as a 
result of reduced sales volumes and lower realised 
commodity prices partially offset by lower cash operating 
costs. In 2015, this cash flow together with increased debt 
facilities helped fund the Group’s $1.7 billion of capital 
expenditure in exploration and development activities  
and $232 million servicing the Group’s debt facilities.

PROFIT AFTER TAX VERSUS 2014

2016 CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

(1,087)

101

21

(41)

79

190

(25)

(147)

(1,640)

380

106

(1)

426

908

(186)

(121)

1,037

$1.1 BILLION

1,870

1,800

2,020

1,720

1,100

1,221

1,079

762

1,464

1,038

791

799

1,000

Price
H edging

Volu m e

Cash operating costs

D D & A

Provision for onerous contracts
R estructuring costs
G ood will im pair m ent
Im pair m ent
E & E write-offs
Ad min expenses
Disposals

Tax

2015

Other
N et financing

09

12

13
•Exploration and appraisal 

256

15

100
14
16
•Development and operations

44 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

0

2014

STRATEGIC REPORTReconciliation of net debt
Year-end 2014 net debt
Revenue
Operating costs
Operating expenses
Cash flow from operations 
Movement in working capital
Tax paid
Capital expenditure
Disposals
Other investing activities
Financing activities
Foreign exchange gain on cash and debt
Year-end 2015 net debt

$m

(3,103) 
 1,607 
 (406)
 (234)
 967 
 349 
 35 
 (2,112)
 56 
 4 
 (232)
 17 
(4,019)

Capital expenditure
2015 capital expenditure amounted to $1.7 billion  
(2014: $2.0 billion) (net of Norwegian tax) with $1.5 billion 
invested in development activities and $0.2 billion in 
exploration and appraisal activities. More than 80% of the 
total was invested in Kenya, Ghana and Uganda and over 
90%, more than $1.6 billion, was invested in Africa. Based  
on current estimates and work programmes, 2016 capital 
expenditure is currently forecast to be up to $1.1 billion (net 
of Norwegian tax), with $100 million allocated to exploration 
and appraisal activities and work ongoing to potentially 
reduce 2016 capital expenditure to around $0.9 billion. 

Portfolio management 
On 30 April 2015, Tullow completed the sale of its operated 
and non-operated interests in the L12/15 area and Blocks Q4 
and Q5 in the Netherlands to AU Energy. The consideration 
was €64 million, producing a profit after tax of $7.4 million 
and a loss before tax of $46.3 million. On 5 June 2015, Tullow 
completed the farm-down to GDF Suez E&P Nederland  
of 30% interests in, and the operatorship of, Exploration 
Licences E10, E11 (including Tullow’s Vincent discovery),  
E14, E15c and E18b.

Balance sheet
In the first half of 2015, Tullow increased its commitments 
under the Revolving Corporate Facility from $0.75 billion to 
$1.0 billion and commitments under the Reserve Based 
Lending Facility increased from $3.5 billion to $3.7 billion. 
Furthermore, amendments to the financial covenants on  
the Reserve Based Lending Facility and Revolving Corporate 
Facility were agreed to address the risk of any potential 
covenant breach during a period of oil price volatility  
and investment in production and development assets in 
West Africa. At 31 December 2015, Tullow had net debt of 
$4.0 billion (2014: $3.1 billion). Unutilised debt capacity and 
free cash at 31 December 2015 amounted to approximately 
$1.9 billion. Total net assets at 30 December 2015 amounted 
to $3.2 billion (2014: $4.0 billion) with the decrease in total 
net assets principally due to the loss during 2015 from 
continuing activities.

Liquidity risk management and going concern 
The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. 
Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities run 

for different scenarios including, but not limited to, changes 
in commodity prices, different production rates from the 
Group’s producing assets and delays to development 
projects. In addition to the Group’s operating cash flows, 
portfolio management opportunities are reviewed to 
potentially enhance the financial capability and flexibility  
of the Group. In the currently low commodity price 
environment, the Group has taken appropriate action to 
reduce its cost base and had $1.9 billion of debt liquidity 
headroom and free cash at the end of 2015. The Group’s 
forecasts, taking into account the risks described above,  
show that the Group will be able to operate within its current 
debt facilities and have sufficient financial headroom for the 
12 months from the date of approval of the 2015 Annual 
Report and Accounts.

Notwithstanding our forecasts of liquidity headroom 
throughout the 12-month period, there remains a risk, given 
the volatility of the oil price environment and its impact on 
operating cash flows and facility availability, that the Group’s 
liquidity position may deteriorate and/or the Group may 
become technically non-compliant with one of its financial 
covenants at the end of 2016. 

To mitigate this risk, we will continue to maintain our 
long-term banking relations and will monitor our cash  
flow projections and, if necessary, take mitigating actions 
well in advance to maintain our liquidity and compliance  
with covenants. Actions available to the Group include 
further rationalisation of our cost base, cuts to discretionary 
capital expenditure, portfolio management and other  
funding options.

Based on this analysis, the Directors have adopted the  
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
Financial Statements.

2016 principal financial risks and uncertainties 
The principal financial risks to performance identified  
for 2016 are:

•  Oil price and overall market volatility 

•  Operational performance and project delivery

•  Maintaining capital and operating cost discipline

•  Execution of financial strategy to maintain  

appropriate liquidity 

Events since year-end
In January 2016 Tullow completed the farm-down of 25%  
of its interest in block 12A to Delonex and Tullow also agreed 
to sell a 20% interest in the Bannu West licence in Pakistan 
to Mari Gas. Tullow was awarded a 60% operated interest  
in the Orinduik licence in January 2016, a 1,801 square 
kilometre block offshore Guyana. On 23 January 2016, the 
TEN FPSO set sail from Singapore to Ghana with arrival 
expected in early March 2016.

Subsequent to the balance sheet date there has been a 
deterioration in the spot price of Brent crude. Sensitivity 
analysis on the impact of a reduction in Brent crude prices 
on the carrying value of PP&E is provided in note 10.

www.tullowoil.com 

45

1 
 
RESPONSIBLE OPERATIONS

IMPROVING OUR 
SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE

As a responsible operator, Tullow manages non-technical, and above-ground, risks with the  
same rigour and focus with which it manages the technical challenges of exploring  
for and producing oil and gas.

We drive continuous improvement in process and 
occupational safety, environmental and social performance, 
health management, security, and the protection of human 
rights, through clear policies, standards and guidelines. 
These are reinforced by structured assurance activities  
and ongoing performance management.

Our non-technical risk performance is measured through  
a KPI made up of our Lost Time Incident Frequency Rate  
and 14 measures covering occupational and process safety, 
asset protection, health, environment, social performance 
and regulatory compliance. 

This KPI accounts for 10 per cent of Tullow’s Group 
scorecard for determining Executive Directors’ and 
employees’ performance related pay. See pages 17-21  
for more information. In 2015, we achieved an overall 
performance of 7.3 per cent out of a possible 10 per cent  
for 2015.

Occupational health
For a second year in a row Tullow has reduced its Lost Time 
Incident Frequency (LTIF). In 2015, we achieved a LTIF of 
0.30, which represents a 48 per cent improvement on our 
2014 performance.

During 2015, two contracted drilling rigs – one operating in 
Ghana and the other in Kenya – achieved two years without  
a Lost Time Incident (LTI). This is a good achievement given 
that both rigs are in challenging operating environments. 
This performance reflects the combined efforts of Tullow, 
our rig contractors, and all service providers. 

Notwithstanding these improvements, we regret to report 
the tragic death of two sub-contractors at the year end and 
start of 2016. The first involved a sub-contractor temporarily 
working on the Jubilee FPSO who had contracted malaria. 
The second involved a TEN FPSO sub-contractor working  
for the main contractor responsible for the construction  
and commissioning of the TEN FPSO in the shipyard in 
Singapore. In-depth investigations into both fatalities have 
been carried out and specific actions have been identified 
and implemented to further improve the accurate diagnosis 
and effective management of malaria symptoms and our 
oversight of control of work.

Process safety 
In 2015, Tullow carried out improvements to the 
management of asset integrity on the Jubilee FPSO to 
ensure we were operating the facility in line with our 
commitment to the standard of the UK safety case regulatory 
regime. We reviewed the physical facility, the processes and 
procedures used to run the FPSO, the organisational 
structure and the professional competencies of our staff,  
as well as our approach to maintenance planning. 

We had a particular focus on the identification and operation 
of safety critical elements on the FPSO. We found that in 
early 2015, we were taking too long to formally assure 
compliance with operating specifications for a number  
of these safety critical elements, creating a backlog. To 
address this, we improved our planning and accelerated 
work to manage the backlog.

During routine inspection activities a worker was exposed  
to carbon monoxide levels that resulted in hospitalisation. 
This was a high potential and IGP Tier 1 Process Safety 
Incident. The investigations identified many lessons  
including improved focus on planned sequencing of jobs,  
risk assessment and toolbox talks, the use of non-standard 
isolations and gas test requirements.

The Board EHS Committee commissioned an audit of  
asset integrity during 2015 and found that many of the  
areas requiring improvement had been identified within the 
Business Unit and that plans were already being developed 
to rectify those weaknesses. There were, however, areas 
requiring additional focus, including how we manage change 
on the facility and document management for safety critical 
elements. Action plans are now in place, which are 
monitored monthly by Senior Management. 

Climate change
Tullow acknowledges the global threat posed by climate 
change and recognises the need to reduce greenhouse gas 
(GHG) emissions. Our activities and products contribute to 
climate change and we accept our responsibility to comply 
with emerging climate change legislation and regulation, 
and to reduce our GHG emissions as far as is reasonably 
practical through appropriate voluntary initiatives. 

Demand for energy is forecast to grow, and we expect fossil 
fuels to continue to play a role in the global energy mix over 

46 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTthe coming decades. We also expect new policies, laws and 
regulations aimed at reducing emissions of GHGs, and we 
will adopt a business strategy that responds to these 
developments. As an Africa-focused company, we will 
continue to support our host Governments and communities 
as they seek to use oil revenues to fight poverty and to 
promote sustainable, inclusive economic development. 

Tullow will aim to minimise GHG emissions both in project 
design and in our operations, and adopt a business strategy 
that is responsive to legal and regulatory developments 
designed to address climate 
change. We will also 
maintain transparency in  
our performance reporting 
and align our activities  
with the actions that our 
host Governments take  
to manage climate change. 

“We made significant progress in 2015 in our 
performance in Responsible Operations with a 
reduction in our Lost Time Incident Frequency 
Rate and improvements across a  
range of sustainability metrics.”

Tullow’s Group total scope 1 
emissions, which in 2015 
included gas and diesel from 
our offices as well as emissions from our operations,  
were 752,539 tonnes CO2e (2014: 799,5511 tonnes CO2e)  
and 122.07 tonnes of CO2e per 1,000 tonnes of hydrocarbon 
produced (2014: 123.84 tonnes CO2e). Total scope 2 
emissions were 4,631 tonnes of CO2e (2014: 4,173 tonnes  
of CO2e) and 0.75 tonnes of CO2e per 1,000 tonnes of 
hydrocarbon produced (2014: 0.64). Full details of  
our Basis of Reporting can be found online.

Water use in East Africa
Securing the water we need for development in East Africa 
will be a challenge for Tullow, especially in the Turkana 
region of Kenya. The design figure for the maximum amount 
of water needed for full field development is 24,000 m3/day. 
As part of pre-development planning for our projects in 
Turkana, we are considering a number of options, both 
underground and surface, for water sourcing and 
management, with more detailed planning due to take  
place in 2016. We are committed to working with national, 
county and local government and all stakeholders in coming 
up with the best sourcing option for the development.

Human rights 
Tullow is committed to respecting internationally  
recognised human rights, as set out in the Universal 
Declaration of Human Rights and the ILO Declaration  
across our operations.

At the end of 2015, Tullow Kenya conducted an  
externally-led review of our performance in Kenya against 
the requirements of the Voluntary Principles on Security  
and Human Rights (VPSHR), which Tullow works to meet 
across our global operations. The audit reviewed Tullow’s 

arrangements with private 
security providers, who do 
not carry firearms, as well 
as the Kenya National Police  
Service (KNPS).

The audit found there  
had been good progress in 
efforts to train both private 
security providers and KNPS 
staff on the requirements  
of the VPSHR and concluded 
that the training was delivering results. Several opportunities 
for improvement were noted in the review, including  
the reporting of security related community grievances.  
We have also been working towards a formal Memorandum 
of Understanding covering how Tullow and the Kenyan 
Government will jointly implement the VPSHR for some 
years, but this has not yet been achieved. Getting this in 
place remains a priority as the project approaches the 
development phase.

Emergency and crisis management
Tullow conducted tests of its three tier Crisis Management 
System during 2015. The system was also tested in real time 
in Ghana this year when our Accra offices were flooded 
during some extreme weather. Despite challenges across 
the city, Tullow was able to resume full operations within  
24 hours. A number of lessons were learned from this 
emergency and our approach to business continuity  
planning will be a focus area for 2016.

1. Group total air emissions breakdown has been restated because of 
a previously understated proportion of methane in vented gas from  
the Jubilee FPSO.

LOST OR REDUCED MAN HOURS RESULTING FROM
COMMUNITY RELATED OPERATION STOPPAGES 

CO2E EMISSIONS PER 1,000 TONNES OF 
HYDROCARBON PRODUCED

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

s
r
u
o
h
n
a
m
d
e
c
u
d
e
r
/
t
s
o
l

0

0
09Y

Jan
11Y

Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
12Y

13Y

15Y

14Y

• lost/reduced man hours resulting from community stoppages
• % lost/reduced man hours compared to total man hours – Kenya
• % lost/reduced man hours compared to total man hours – Group

%
o
f

t
o
t
a
l

m
a
n
h
o
u
r
s

4

3

2

1

0

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

261

98

100

124

122

09Y

12
11
12Y
11Y
•Scope 1 CO2e 

13
14
15
13Y
14Y
15Y
•Scope 2 CO2e

www.tullowoil.com 

47

1 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT

MANAGING RISKS AND 
UPHOLDING GOVERNANCE

In 2015, Tullow overhauled its risk, assurance and performance management processes  
to better support the delivery of our strategic objectives.

DEAR SHAREHOLDER,
In response to the 2014 amendments to the Corporate 
Governance Code (the ‘Code’) relating to risk management, 
long-term viability and remuneration, your Board believes 
that we have taken appropriate steps to remain fully 
compliant with the Code. Our revised approach to risk 
management is discussed in this section of the report. The 
long-term viability statement can be found on page 55. We 
believe that our remuneration policy (set out on page 92), 
which was approved by shareholders at the AGM in 2014, 
remains fully compliant. A full review of our compliance with 
the Code and the Board’s activities and performance against 
its objectives during the year can be found in the Directors’ 
Report on pages 70 to 78. 

Consolidating our policies and standards
During 2015, the Board oversaw a major overhaul of Tullow’s 
risk, assurance and performance management processes  
as part of the Major Simplification Project (MSP). The key 
objectives were to streamline and simplify decision-making, 
to clarify roles and responsibilities, and to create clearer 
accountabilities for enterprise risk management and the 
delivery of our strategic objectives. An important part of the 

MSP was the development of a new Integrated Management 
System (IMS). The IMS now holds all of Tullow’s consolidated 
mandatory policies and standards in a single, integrated 
online management system. It represents a systematic  
way of putting our strategy and values into practice, and  
it provides a clear and consistent framework that sets  
out expectations and defines the controls and assurance 
necessary to ensure that our activities and associated risks 
are effectively managed. The IMS was formally launched  
in November 2015 and will continue to evolve and develop 
during the course of 2016 and beyond. 

As part of the overhaul of risk management and assurance 
processes, the Board approved a new policy and standard 
that defines an integrated ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ 
approach to identifying, assessing and managing enterprise-
wide risks. The governance and reporting of risks is now fully 
embedded as part of the quarterly business reviews, forms  
a key element of the Group’s performance management,  
and informs decision-making about internal audit and  
other assurance priorities. The Board of Directors has 
carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks  
facing the Company, including those that would threaten  

BOARD COMMITTEES

Audit Committee
Responsible for 
ensuring our 
Financial 
Statements give a 
true and fair view of 
the business. 

Nominations 
Committee
Ensures the 
balance of skills 
and expertise of the 
Board remains 
appropriate to meet 
the needs of the 
Company.

EHS Committee
Responsible for 
monitoring and 
advising on the 
Group’s EHS 
policies and 
performance.

Ethics & 
Compliance 
Committee
Responsible for 
promoting good 
ethical behaviour 
and ensuring 
compliance with 
relevant legislation.

Remuneration 
Committee
Responsible for 
determining and 
agreeing the 
Executive Directors’ 
remuneration 
policy. 

> page 79

> page 84

> page 86

> page 88

> page 90

48 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTour business model, future performance, solvency and 
liquidity. Details of the process and our principal risks  
are on pages 52 to 63.

Culture and ethical behaviour 
The MSP, the new IMS, and the revised risk and assurance 
framework are fully aligned with our core values of focusing 
on results, entrepreneurial spirit, teamwork, integrity and 
respect. However, they will only become fully effective when 
they are thoroughly embedded within our operations and 
become simply part of the way we do business. The 
implementation of the MSP and IMS has therefore involved  
a high level of staff engagement and discussion. Early 
indications that the new approach is gaining acceptance  
and approval within the business are encouraging. 

During 2015, as part of our ongoing monitoring efforts to 
improve our compliance processes, and to reflect best 
practice and lessons learnt from internal investigations,  
we also updated a number of our IMS standards relating to 
ethics and compliance. We replaced the existing executive 
Compliance Committee with a formal Board Committee, 
chaired by Ann Grant, the Senior Independent Director. The 
formation of this Committee underlines our commitment to 
uphold the highest standards of integrity and recognises that 
ethical behaviour, like safety, must be an area of constant 
focus. In November, the launch of our revised and improved 
Code of Ethical Conduct was accompanied by a Company-
wide communication campaign and training programme, 
which will continue throughout 2016. So far, approximately 
40 per cent of employees and contractors attended fraud risk 
assessment workshops during the year, to raise awareness 
of the risk and encourage early detection. 

Tullow’s reputation as a fair, ethical and responsible 
company is dependent upon our employees’ and contractors’ 
behaviour and the values they exhibit in their day-to-day 
work. Any member of staff, contractor or supplier can  
raise concerns about inappropriate behaviour via internal 
channels or our independent, confidential reporting line, 

Safecall. Concerns raised during exit interviews and via 
Safecall are also investigated and any recommendations 
arising, for updates and improvements to our internal 
processes and procedures, are applied across the Group. 
Notwithstanding these efforts, 19 members of our workforce 
and sub-contractors left the Group and had their contracts 
terminated as a result of investigations carried out during 
the year. Whilst it is clearly regrettable that such actions 
should be necessary, they underscore Tullow’s commitment 
to comply with our Code of Ethical Conduct.

Stakeholder engagement
During 2015 we continued to engage with Governments, 
international development agencies, international think 
tanks, academia and civil society to identify and discuss 
policy issues relevant to the sustainability of Tullow’s 
business model. These initiatives have built upon established 
themes of transparency, natural resource revenue 
governance and capacity-building, as well as new initiatives 
seeking to better understand the relationship between 
resources-led economic growth and climate change in our 
countries of operation. Tullow has sought to gain a better 
understanding of the issues in order to develop a strategic 
response that meets the requirements of our shareholders 
and our broader responsibilities to other stakeholders. 

We have continued to focus on the development of technical 
and vocational training for the oil and gas industry in East 
Africa by supporting the scoping stages of the Skills for  
Oil and Gas in Africa (SOGA) project, initiated by the UK’s 
Department for International Development in Kenya and 
Uganda. In Kenya, we also helped to establish the Turkana 
Focus Forum, which brings together industry, NGOs, 
development partners and other bodies with the aim of 
coordinating the many initiatives that are under way to 
manage the impact and to maximise the social and 
economic benefits arising from resources-led development 
in the country. 

Simon Thompson
Chairman 
9 February 2016

INTEGRATED GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK

Board of Directors 
12 members – Five Executive Directors – Seven non-executive Directors – Five Board Committees

Executive Directors 
Five Executive Directors 
run the business and 
are held accountable for 
its performance

Frequency

Eight times per year

Weekly

Operating Committee 
Includes the Chief Operating Officer, 
Business Delivery Team VPs, VP 
Commercial & Finance and VP 
Organisation Strategy & Effectiveness

Executive Committee 
Includes the Executive Directors, 
operational and functional VPs and 
Senior Managers. Focused on 
performance management

Weekly operations 
meeting

Monthly performance 
management

Business Delivery Teams 
and Business Units

Corporate functions

Agreed Group  
Shared Services

Day-to-day business 
delivery

www.tullowoil.com 

49

1 
 
GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

1

11

2

5

3

9

7

8

4

 1 SIMON THOMPSON
CHAIRMAN
Simon Thompson (age 56, British) was 
appointed as a non-executive Director in 
2011 and as non-executive Chairman in 
January 2012. Simon worked for investment 
banks N M Rothschild and S. G. Warburg 
before joining the Anglo American group  
in 1995, where he held a number of senior 
positions and became an Executive Director 
in 2005. Since leaving Anglo American,  
he has served as a non-executive Director 
of Amec Foster Wheeler plc, AngloGold 
Ashanti Ltd, Newmont Mining Corporation 
and Sandvik AB.

Committee membership
Nominations Committee (Chair), 
Remuneration Committee and 
EHS Committee.

Other directorships and offices
Simon is Chairman of 3i Group plc and  
a non-executive Director of Rio Tinto plc.

 2 AIDAN HEAVEY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER 
Aidan Heavey (age 62, Irish) is the founder 
of Tullow Oil and has been Chief Executive 
Officer since 1985. He has played a key  
role in Tullow’s development as a leading 
independent oil and gas exploration and 
production group.

 3 IAN SPRINGETT
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Ian Springett (age 58, British) is a 
Chartered Accountant and was appointed  
to the Board of Directors in 2008. Prior  
to joining Tullow, Ian worked at BP for  
23 years where he gained extensive 
international oil and gas experience. Ian 
has held a number of senior positions at 
BP, including Vice-President of BP Finance, 
CFO for the United States and also served 
as a Business Unit Leader in Alaska.

Committee membership
Ethics and Compliance Committee.

 4 GRAHAM MARTIN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR  
Graham Martin (age 61, British) is a solicitor 
(admitted in England and Wales) and joined 
Tullow as Legal and Commercial Director  
in 1997. Graham served as Tullow’s General 
Counsel from 2004 to 2013 and as Company 
Secretary from 2008 to 2015. Graham has 
over 30 years’ experience in international 
corporate and energy transactions. 

Graham retired as Company Secretary  
in December 2015. He will retire as an 
Executive Director and leave the Company 
following the Annual General Meeting on  
28 April 2016. 

 5 PAUL McDADE 
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Paul McDade (age 53, British) was appointed 
to the Board of Directors in 2006, having 
joined Tullow in 2001. Paul was appointed 
Chief Operating Officer following the Energy 
Africa acquisition in 2004, having previously 
managed Tullow’s UK gas business. An 
engineer with over 25 years’ experience, 
Paul has worked in various operational, 
commercial and management roles with 
Conoco, Lasmo and ERC. He has broad 
international experience having worked in 
the UK North Sea, Latin America, Africa and 
South East Asia. Paul holds degrees in Civil 
Engineering and Petroleum Engineering.

Committee membership
EHS Committee.

50 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTCommittee membership
Ethics and Compliance Committee (Chair), 
Audit Committee and  
Nominations Committee.

Other directorships and offices
Ann is a Board member of the Overseas 
Development Institute and a council 
member of the London School of Hygiene 
and Tropical Medicine as well as the Rift 
Valley Institute. She also chairs the Serious 
Music Trust.

 8 TUTU AGYARE
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Tutu Agyare (age 53, Ghanaian) was 
appointed as a non-executive Director in 
August 2010. He is currently a Managing 
Partner at Nubuke Investments, an asset 
management firm focused solely on Africa, 
which he founded in 2007. Previously, he  
had a 21-year career with UBS Investment 
Bank, holding a number of senior positions, 
most recently as the Head of European 
Emerging Markets, and served on the  
Board of Directors.

Committee membership
Audit Committee,  
Nominations Committee and 
Remuneration Committee.

Other directorships and offices 
Tutu is a director of the Nubuke 
Foundation, a Ghanaian-based cultural  
and educational foundation. Tutu is also a 
Senior Advisor to Power Africa, an initiative 
launched by the Obama administration to 
increase access to electricity in Africa.

 9 STEVE LUCAS 
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Steve Lucas (age 61, British) was appointed 
as a non-executive Director in March 2012. 
A Chartered Accountant, Steve was Finance 
Director at National Grid plc from 2002 to 
2010 and previously worked for 11 years at 
Royal Dutch Shell and for six years at BG 
Group, latterly as Group Treasurer.

Committee membership
Audit Committee (Chair),  
Nominations Committee,  
Remuneration Committee and  
Ethics and Compliance Committee.

Other directorships and offices
Steve is a non-executive Director of  
Acacia Mining plc (UK) and is the Senior 
Independent Director (non-executive) of 
HTN Towers plc.

 10 ANNE DRINKWATER

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Anne Drinkwater (age 60, British) was 
appointed as a non-executive Director in 
July 2012. Anne’s appointment followed a 
long career at BP, where she held a 
number of senior business and operations 
positions, including President and Chief 
Executive Officer of BP Canada Energy 
Company, President of BP Indonesia  
and Managing Director of BP Norway.

Committee membership
EHS Committee (Chair),  
Audit Committee,  
Remuneration Committee and  
Nominations Committee.

Other directorships and offices 
Anne is a non-executive Director of Aker 
Solutions ASA (Norway) and is an oil and 
gas advisor to the Government of the 
Falkland Islands.

 11 JEREMY WILSON

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jeremy Wilson (age 51, British) was 
appointed as a non-executive Director in 
October 2013 following a 26-year career  
at J.P. Morgan where he held a number  
of senior positions, most recently Vice 
Chairman of the Energy Group.

Committee membership
Remuneration Committee (Chair),  
Nominations Committee and  
Audit Committee.

Other directorships and offices
Jeremy is a non-executive Director of  
John Wood Group PLC (UK).

 12 MIKE DALY

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Mike Daly (age 62, British) was appointed 
as a non-executive Director in June 2014 
following a 28-year career at BP where  
he held a number of senior roles. Most 
recently, he was Executive Vice President 
Exploration, and a member of BP’s Group 
executive team until January 2014.

Committee membership
Audit Committee,  
Nominations Committee and  
EHS Committee.

Other directorships and offices
Mike is a visiting Professor at the University 
of Oxford and a Senior Director at Macro 
Advisory Partners. Mike is also a non-
executive Director of CGG, an integrated 
geoscience company based in France, 
which is listed on the Euronext and New 
York Stock Exchanges. 

KEVIN MASSIE
COMPANY SECRETARY
Kevin Massie was appointed Company 
Secretary on 1 January 2016, following 
Graham Martin’s resignation as Company 
Secretary. Kevin was previously Corporate 
Counsel and Deputy Company Secretary  
at Tullow. 

MORE INFORMATION

Audit Committee   

Nominations Committee 

EHS Committee 

Ethics & Compliance Committee 

Remuneration Committee  

79

84

86

88

90

www.tullowoil.com 

51

10

12

6

 6 ANGUS McCOSS
EXPLORATION DIRECTOR
Angus McCoss (age 54, British) was 
appointed to the Board of Directors in  
2006 following 21 years of wide-ranging 
exploration experience, working primarily 
with Shell in Africa, Europe, China, South 
America and the Middle East. Angus held  
a number of senior positions at Shell, 
including Regional Vice President of 
Exploration for the Americas and General 
Manager of Exploration in Nigeria. He  
holds a PhD in Structural Geology.

Other directorships and offices 
Angus is a non-executive Director of Ikon 
Science Limited and a member of the 
Advisory Board of the industry-backed 
Energy and Geoscience Institute of the 
University of Utah. 

 7 ANN GRANT 
SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR
Ann Grant (age 67, British) was appointed  
as a non-executive Director in May 2008 and 
Senior Independent Director in April 2014. 
Ann was Vice Chairman (Africa) at Standard 
Chartered Bank from 2005 to 2014. Her 
earlier career was as a British Diplomat, 
from 1971 to 2005. From 1998, she worked 
at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office  
in London as Director for Africa and the 
Commonwealth. From 2000 to 2005, Ann 
was the British High Commissioner to  
South Africa.

1 
 
 
GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

STRENGTHENING HOW  
WE MANAGE RISKS

Strong and effective risk management is an integral part of running our business. Over the past 
year, Tullow has adopted a more rigorous and consistent approach to managing risks across the 
Group and rolled out an enhanced integrated enterprise-wide risk management process.

Managing risk is an integral part of our everyday business 
and we believe that risk management should be embedded 
in our processes and procedures that we use to run our 
business. Effectively managing risk across the Group is a 
competitive necessity and fundamental to creating and 
maintaining shareholder value. An effective and joined up 
risk management framework enhances Tullow’s ability to 
achieve its strategic objectives, and helps to protect our 
business, people and reputation. 

The Board, as part of its role in providing strategic oversight 
and stewardship of the Company, is responsible for 
maintaining a sound risk management and internal control 
system. As part of that system, the Board determines 
principal risks and sets respective risk tolerance/appetite 
levels. The Executive Team, Group Functional Heads and 
Business Delivery Teams (BDTs) are responsible and 
accountable for monitoring and managing the risks that fall 
under their remit. It is then every leader’s and manager’s job 

TULLOW’S RISK UNIVERSE

STRATEGIC RISKS

•  Internal

•  External

FINANCIAL RISKS

•  Information/reporting

•  Funding, Strategy & Planning

About these risks
•  Internal risks associated with inadequate strategy 

About these risks
•  Financial risks arising from adverse market 

and external risks associated with external 
competitive, political and social business 
environment

Oversight
•  Board

Responsibility
•  Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive Officer,  
Paul McDade, Chief Operating Officer,  
and Ian Springett, Chief Financial Officer

conditions and reporting risks from unreliable or 
inaccurate information and reporting procedures

Oversight
•  Board, Audit and EHS Committees

Responsibility
•  Ian Springett, Chief Financial Officer

52 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTto manage the day-to-day risks the Group may face. They are 
responsible for identifying the risks, assessing their impact 
and determining their consequence for the business. 
Appropriate actions are then taken to manage the risk  
to an acceptable level defined by the Board. 

Historically, Tullow has always managed its risks and this 
has not changed. However, in the past year the Board  
has implemented a number of actions to re-assess and 
further improve Tullow’s risk management framework. 
These actions were part of the Group’s overall organisational 
design review that took place during the Major Simplification 
Project (MSP) and, as a result, the following enhancements 
have been made:

•  Developed a risk management policy and risk 

management standard to mandate a consistent 
approach to managing risk for all activities across  
all parts of the business;

•  Adopted a more rigorous and consistent approach to 
managing risks across the Group and rolled out an 
enhanced integrated risk management process, with 
strengthened governance and reporting requirements;

•  Driven a ‘top-down and bottom-up’ approach to risk 

management to ensure fully integrated risk 
management processes to enable decision making;

•  Defined its risk appetite to clearly communicate the 
level of risk the Board is willing to take in pursuit of  
its strategy; 

•  Risk management embedded into business planning 

and performance management to mandate 
accountability and responsibility for risk management 
to all employees at all levels of the Group; and

•  Developed a Group Assurance Standard and integrated 

assurance plans to monitor risks and to obtain 
assurance over effective risk management and 
operation of internal controls.

Our inherent risk universe 
In order to ensure complete and systematic identification of 
risks and to ensure commonality of risk definitions across 
the Group, the Group maintains a ‘Risk Universe’, which 
holds an extensive collection of potential risks that could 
impact the Group’s performance. These risks are separated 
into four broad categories: Strategic, Financial, Operational 
and Compliance. Executive Directors are assigned 
responsibility for these categories, and assurance and 
oversight responsibilities are assigned to the Board and 
respective Board committees. A summary of our risk 
universe is detailed below.

OPERATIONAL RISKS

•  Organisation & Human Resources, Health & 
Safety, Information systems, Technical and 
Exploration

About these risks
•  Operational risks that ultimately impact  
our business delivery, performance,  
stakeholders and reputation

Oversight
•  Board, Audit, EHS and Remuneration Committees

Responsibility
•  Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive Officer, Paul 

McDade, Chief Operating Officer, and Angus 
McCoss, Exploration Director

COMPLIANCE RISKS

•  Legal, Ethics & Compliance

About these risks
•  Legal & Compliance risks arising from  

unethical behaviour or violation of applicable  
laws and regulations.

Oversight
•  Ethics & Compliance Committee

Responsibility
•  Aidan Heavey, Chief Executive Officer,  
Ian Springett, Chief Financial Officer

www.tullowoil.com 

53

1 
 
GOVERNANCE AND RISK MANAGEMENT CONTINUED

Risk management process
The Group’s risk register continues to be the core element  
of the risk management process. Each layer of the 
organisation is responsible for maintaining a risk register  
at their business level, which is formally reviewed on a 
quarterly basis at their business performance review. The 
risk register identifies all key inherent risks facing the Group, 
taken from the Tullow Risk Universe. These inherent risks 
are then assessed at both an inherent and residual level,  
to determine the strength of existing controls and mitigating 
actions and the required treatment action for each risk. 
Tullow recognises that risk cannot be totally eliminated and 
that there are some risks the Board will choose to accept. 
These decisions will come down to experience and after 
consideration of the Group’s defined risk appetite. 

Risks are assessed on two scales: a) according to their 
likelihood and b) by their potential impact on the Group,  
not just financially, but also in terms of safety, reputation  
and regulatory impact. The risk registers are consolidated 
upwards to the Group who then prepare a Group risk 
register, identifying the ‘principal’ risks facing the Company. 
The risk register, its method of preparation and the operation 
of key controls are periodically reported to the Executive and 
the Audit Committee. 

The risk management process is an integral part of the 
annual business planning process and ongoing business 
performance management. A key component of the process 
is not just risk identification, but also the ‘top-down and 
bottom-up’ discussions that occur to agree mitigation  
plans and evaluate actions. 

Risk appetite
The Board is responsible for setting the Group’s risk 
appetite, acceptable risk tolerance levels and putting in  
place a mechanism to monitor compliance with these  
agreed tolerances. A number of enterprise-wide risk 
workshops attended by the Executive Directors, BDT VPs  
and Group Functional VPs were undertaken in 2015, to  
agree the principal risks and discuss and set the right  
risk tolerances for each risk. 

In considering the Group’s risk appetite, the Board has 
reviewed the risk process, assessment of principal risks,  
and the existing controls and mitigating actions that drive 
towards residual risk. The risk appetite has been adopted  
by the Board of Directors, and is going to be kept under 
regular, at least annual, review to reflect the current  
external and market conditions.

RISK HIERARCHY

Who’s responsible?

Executive Directors

Business and 
Functional VPs

Principal  
risks

Enterprise  
risks

Business Delivery Team

Business delivery risks

Project Teams

Project risks

54 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Who’s accountable?

Board, Audit 
Committee, 
Sub-Committees

Board, Sub-
Committees, 
Executive 
Directors

Business Delivery  
Team VPs

BU Leadership, 
BU Functional 
Leads

Top-down
Accountability, 
monitoring, 
assurance  
and evaluation  
of actions

Bottom-up
Identification  
of risks and 
mitigating 
actions for 
projects and 
Business 
Delivery Teams

STRATEGIC REPORTPRINCIPAL RISKS

VIABILITY STATEMENT
In accordance with provision C2.2. of the 2014 revision of  
the UK Corporate Governance Code, the Board has  
assessed the prospects and the viability of the Group  
over a longer period than the 12 months required by  
the ‘Going Concern’ provision. 

The Board conducted this review for a period of three years 
taking into account the Group’s current position and potential 
impact of its principal risks. The three-year period was 
selected for the following reasons:

i.  The Group’s strategic plan, which considers the Group’s 
facility and free cash headroom, debt:equity mix, and  
other financial ratios, is undertaken over a three-year 
rolling period;

ii.  Full development of Tullow’s TEN Project will be 

principally complete within the three-year period,  
leading to significant reductions in committed capex  
and increases in levels of production; and

iii.  All of Tullow’s material exploration licence commitments 

fall within the next three years. 

Based on these factors, the Directors consider that a 
three-year assessment period appropriately reflects the 
underlying prospects and viability of the Group, and the 
period over which the principal risks are reviewed.

In order to make an assessment on the Group’s viability, the 
Directors have made a detailed assessment of the Group’s 
principal risks, as described on pages 55 to 63, and the 
potential implications these risks would have on the Group’s 
liquidity and its business model over the assessment period. 
This assessment included, where appropriate, detailed cash 
flow analysis, and the Directors also considered a number of 
reasonably plausible, but severe scenarios, and 
combinations thereof, and associated summaries / 
documents provided by the Group’s Finance and Treasury 
teams. The assessment has assumed that capital markets 
continue to operate under normal market conditions.

The Directors have also identified mitigating actions  
which the Group already has in place, such as hedging  
and insurance, and additional mitigating actions that are 
available to the Group, such as reductions in operating and 
capital expenditure, portfolio management and other funding 
options. Based on the results of the analysis the Board of 
Directors has a reasonable expectation that the Company 
will be able to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as 
they fall due over the three-year period of their assessment.

Notwithstanding the Board’s assessment, there remains a 
risk, given the volatility of the oil price environment and the 
crystallisation of a combination of the Group’s principal risks, 
that the Group’s liquidity position may deteriorate and the 
Group may become technically non-compliant with one  
of its financial covenants during the assessment period.  
To mitigate this risk, the Group will continue to monitor  
our cash flow projections and, if necessary, take  
appropriate action with the support of our long-term  
banking relationships.

PRINCIPAL RISKS

Tullow’s principal risks are listed  
in the following tables. Internally,  
the Group monitors and mitigates  
a more substantive list of risks, but 
those listed are the risks currently 
considered to be the most important 
because of their likelihood, the 
magnitude of their potential impact, 
frequency on the Executive’s agenda,  
or a combination of these reasons.  

STRATEGIC

1.  Strategy not fully achievable in sustained low oil prices

2. 

3. 

Inability to progress major portfolio management options

 Impact on TEN expected value due to border dispute between Ghana  
and Côte d’Ivoire 

4. 

Impact on TEN expected value due to delayed delivery

5.  Failure to adequately manage stakeholder relationships

FINANCIAL

6. 

Insufficient liquidity and funding capability

7.  Failure to manage oil price risk

OPERATIONAL

8.  Loss of production revenue from Jubilee field

9.  Major operational incident

10. Inability to replenish exploration portfolio

11. Major cyber or information security incident

12. Failure to retain or develop key staff

COMPLIANCE

13. Major breach of business or ethical conduct standard

www.tullowoil.com 

55

1 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS CONTINUED

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance 

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

STRATEGIC

1
Strategy not fully achievable in sustained 
low oil prices 

Aidan Heavey, 
Chief Executive Officer

•  Tullow may be unable to deliver value 
growth during a period of sustained 
low oil price

•  Inability to deleverage the business

Sustainable long-term  
value growth

2
Inability to progress major portfolio 
management options

Ian Springett, 
Chief Financial Officer

Finance & Portfolio 
Management 

•  Inability to execute strategic farm 
downs or divest non-core assets 

•  Potential over concentration of  

risk in some areas

•  Increased exposure to capex and 

decommissioning costs

•  Write down on acquired assets, 

over-investment in mature assets  
for low returns, using capital that 
could be better invested elsewhere

•  Reputational harm

•  Loss of some of TEN reserves/

facilities and contractual rights if 
ITLOS decision moves maritime  
border and part of the field is in  
Côte d’Ivoire waters

Development & Production 

•  Delay in production start up and 
revenue build up which impacts 
financial performance and reputation

Development & Production 

3
Impact on TEN expected value  
due to border dispute between  
Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire

Paul McDade, 
Chief Operating Officer

4
Impact on TEN expected value  
due to delayed delivery 

Paul McDade, 
Chief Operating Officer

56 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

•  Robust planning of strategy and business plan which is reviewed  

•  Improved Group capital allocation 

and approved by the Board

process and reporting

•  Business plan includes options/alternatives for lower oil prices  

•  Continued review of cost structure 

that underpin the agreed strategy 

post MSP

•  Strict capital allocation process in line with agreed business plan

•  Test and retain options for increased 

•  Rigorous monthly performance management and reporting  

to track delivery

and challenge

•  Regular investor meetings with Executive to gain feedback  

EBITDA delivery

•  Focus on deleveraging options

•  Maintain a highly competent transaction capability 

•  Conduct regular portfolio assessments with the Board as part of the 

annual strategy review

•  Adhere to relevant commercial and investment appraisal standards, 

•  Initiated bi-annual portfolio reviews 

with Business Delivery Teams

•  Portfolio review is part of the  

Board’s agendas

and review of all major acquisition or divestment proposals

•  Improve quality of portfolio analysis 

•  Follow approval process with the Executive Directors and the Board 

•  Execute current strategic  

for any major decisions and new country entry to ensure a suitable 

portfolio plan

amount of screening, challenge and justification

•  Conduct post-transactions reviews, whether completed or aborted

operations efficiently in order  

•  Progress and operate current 

to gain maximum value

•  Regularly monitor the ITLOS case, analysing claims with expert 

•  Case progressed in line with  

counsel assistance

schedule defined by ITLOS 

•  Work closely with the Government of Ghana to fully understand  

•  Scenario analysis

the potential impacts of movement in border and encouraging 

continued dialogue between both countries

•  Providing technical support and materials as requested

•  Identifying other uses for rigs to avoid periods of inactivity

•  Alternative projects for planned  

rig usage

•  Effective project management driven by execution plan and  

•  Project over 85% complete in  

competent professional project team

February 2016, on track and on budget

•  Assurance plans and stage gated project delivery system in  

•  Continued tracking of project plan 

place, including delivery of independent operations readiness  

progress with necessary interventions

•  Regular project meetings with Tullow leadership and  

and assurance audits 

major contractors 

•  Series of workshops with TEN  

team and major contractors

•  Continually identifying and  

mitigating new risks if they occur

•  Bi-monthly project steering  

group meetings

•  Business transition plan

STRATEGIC REPORT1

2

3

4

Strategy not fully achievable in sustained 

STRATEGIC

low oil prices 

Aidan Heavey, 

Chief Executive Officer

Sustainable long-term  

value growth

Inability to progress major portfolio 

management options

Ian Springett, 

Chief Financial Officer

Finance & Portfolio 

Management 

Impact on TEN expected value  

due to border dispute between  

Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire

Paul McDade, 

Chief Operating Officer

Impact on TEN expected value  

due to delayed delivery 

Paul McDade, 

Chief Operating Officer

Development & Production 

Development & Production 

•  Inability to execute strategic farm 

downs or divest non-core assets 

•  Potential over concentration of  

risk in some areas

•  Increased exposure to capex and 

decommissioning costs

•  Write down on acquired assets, 

over-investment in mature assets  

for low returns, using capital that 

could be better invested elsewhere

•  Reputational harm

•  Loss of some of TEN reserves/

facilities and contractual rights if 

ITLOS decision moves maritime  

border and part of the field is in  

Côte d’Ivoire waters

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance 

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

•  Tullow may be unable to deliver value 

growth during a period of sustained 

low oil price

•  Robust planning of strategy and business plan which is reviewed  

•  Improved Group capital allocation 

and approved by the Board

process and reporting

•  Business plan includes options/alternatives for lower oil prices  

•  Continued review of cost structure 

•  Inability to deleverage the business

that underpin the agreed strategy 

post MSP

•  Strict capital allocation process in line with agreed business plan

•  Test and retain options for increased 

•  Rigorous monthly performance management and reporting  

to track delivery

•  Regular investor meetings with Executive to gain feedback  

and challenge

EBITDA delivery

•  Focus on deleveraging options

•  Maintain a highly competent transaction capability 

•  Conduct regular portfolio assessments with the Board as part of the 

annual strategy review

•  Adhere to relevant commercial and investment appraisal standards, 

•  Initiated bi-annual portfolio reviews 

with Business Delivery Teams

•  Portfolio review is part of the  

Board’s agendas

and review of all major acquisition or divestment proposals

•  Improve quality of portfolio analysis 

•  Follow approval process with the Executive Directors and the Board 
for any major decisions and new country entry to ensure a suitable 
amount of screening, challenge and justification

•  Conduct post-transactions reviews, whether completed or aborted

•  Regularly monitor the ITLOS case, analysing claims with expert 

counsel assistance

•  Work closely with the Government of Ghana to fully understand  
the potential impacts of movement in border and encouraging 
continued dialogue between both countries

•  Providing technical support and materials as requested

•  Identifying other uses for rigs to avoid periods of inactivity

•  Execute current strategic  

portfolio plan

•  Progress and operate current 
operations efficiently in order  
to gain maximum value

•  Case progressed in line with  
schedule defined by ITLOS 

•  Scenario analysis

•  Alternative projects for planned  

rig usage

•  Delay in production start up and 

revenue build up which impacts 

financial performance and reputation

•  Effective project management driven by execution plan and  

•  Project over 85% complete in  

competent professional project team

February 2016, on track and on budget

•  Assurance plans and stage gated project delivery system in  

•  Continued tracking of project plan 

place, including delivery of independent operations readiness  
and assurance audits 

•  Regular project meetings with Tullow leadership and  

major contractors 

progress with necessary interventions

•  Series of workshops with TEN  
team and major contractors

•  Continually identifying and  

mitigating new risks if they occur

•  Bi-monthly project steering  

group meetings

•  Business transition plan

www.tullowoil.com 

57

1 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS CONTINUED

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance 

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

5
Failure to adequately manage  
stakeholder relationships

Aidan Heavey, 
Chief Executive Officer

Responsible Operations

Shared Prosperity

•  Restrictions to operations,  

leading to significant variances  
in financial forecasts 

•  Contractual or regulatory change 

could impact the viability of projects

•  Portfolio of assets affected by licence 

withdrawals or expropriation

•  Reputational damage and loss  

of social licence to operate

•  Fines, penalties or criminal 

prosecution

•  Non-Technical Risk Standard sets minimum requirements  

•  Fully embedded Non-Technical Risk 

for stakeholder management

Standard

•  A quarterly political risk driver analysis is completed in partnership 

•  Develop ‘landscape level solution’ 

with the Business Units

•  Country Strategy Papers, alongside stakeholder engagement plans, 

provide context and a framework

•  Skilled, experienced and competent staff are embedded in  

plans that map and articulate 

integrated solutions for complex risks 

•  Develop an approach and plan to 

obtain agreements with communities

Business Units and the Corporate Centre provides strategic  

•  Develop a system to manage Group 

advice and assurance

•  Safety, Sustainability and External Affairs (SSEA) scorecard monitors 

certain leading and lagging indicators of effectiveness such as work 

stoppage man hours/total man hours, % closure of grievances

Regulatory and non-Supply Chain  

(SC) agreement compliance aligned  

to the Non-SC Agreement 

Management Standard

FINANCIAL

6
Insufficient liquidity and funding capability

Ian Springett, 
Chief Financial Officer

Finance & Portfolio 
Management

•  Excessive leverage could lead to  
the Group being unable to meet  
its financial obligations

•  Prudent approach to diversified debt and equity, with  

a balance maintained through business planning and  

performance management processes

•  Constrains ability to raise further debt

•  Finance standard in place to ensure debt funding is optimised  

7
Failure to manage oil price risk

Ian Springett, 
Chief Financial Officer

Commodity price volatility could reduce 
cash flow and asset value by reduced:

Finance & Portfolio 
Management

•  Revenues

•  EBITDA

•  Debt capacity

•  Funding to support investment 

programme

OPERATIONAL

8
Loss of production revenue from Jubilee

Paul McDade, 
Chief Operating Officer

Development & Production

•  Loss of some or all of Jubilee 

production revenue for an extended 
period of time due to the failure of 
critical equipment

•  Ongoing Production Loss Reporting and Root Cause Analysis  

•  2015 gross production averaged 

to identify actions and prevent issues reoccurring

102,600 bopd

•  Integrity, operations and competency systems in place, supported  

•  Ongoing analysis of FSPO systems  

by critical spares and strategy and competency certification for all 

to strive for top quartile reliability 

58 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

•  The Board reviews and approves the financial strategy, the funding 

and free cash of $1.9 billion; net  

for all assets and projects

position and policy targets

•  Short-term and long-term cash forecasts are reported to Senior 

•  Mark-to-market value of hedging 

Management and to the Board on a regular basis

instruments $623 million at end 2015

•  Regular monitoring of maturities of facilities, and relationships  

•  2016 financing initiatives in progress; 

with lending banks and debt capital investors continually developed

discussions under way with 

•  Significant hedging policy adopted to protect against oil price volatility

•  Board approved hedge programme to protect against low oil prices

•  Mark-to-market value of hedges  

•  Programme is monitored monthly and communicated to the Board

•  Hedging programme must be executed in accordance with the policy, 

with approvals sought ahead of execution

•  $450 million additional bank 

commitments secured in 2015

•  Strength of assets retained debt 

capacity despite fall in oil prices

•  2015 year end facility headroom 

debt of $4 billion

commercial banks to consider 

possible refinancing/amendments  

to the RBL and RCF facilities

•  Capital allocation process 

implemented to meet funding targets

at the end of 2015 was $623 million

•  Approximately 52 per cent  

(64 per cent post-tax) of 2016 

entitlement oil production hedged at 

an average floor price of $75/bbl

•  Value of hedges support EBITDA  

and contribute to debt capacity  

under the RBL

core crew

•  External and internal assurance programme 

•  Appropriate standards and plans in place

•  Weekly review of maintenance, fortnightly Asset Integrity Improvement 

Steering Committee, monthly Asset Integrity Management meetings 

•  Improvements to Competency 

and analysis by both Business Unit and Group Operations

Assessments 

•  Jubilee Asset Integrity Audit 

completed in 2015 

•  Implementation of Asset Integrity 

Improvement Plan

•  Purchase of critical spare equipment 

as per agreed spares strategy

STRATEGIC REPORT5

6

7

8

Failure to manage oil price risk

Ian Springett, 

Chief Financial Officer

Commodity price volatility could reduce 

cash flow and asset value by reduced:

Finance & Portfolio 

Management

•  Revenues

•  EBITDA

•  Debt capacity

•  Funding to support investment 

programme

OPERATIONAL

Loss of production revenue from Jubilee

Paul McDade, 

Chief Operating Officer

•  Loss of some or all of Jubilee 

production revenue for an extended 

period of time due to the failure of 

Development & Production

critical equipment

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance 

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

Failure to adequately manage  

stakeholder relationships

Aidan Heavey, 

Chief Executive Officer

Responsible Operations

Shared Prosperity

•  Restrictions to operations,  

leading to significant variances  

in financial forecasts 

•  Contractual or regulatory change 

could impact the viability of projects

•  Portfolio of assets affected by licence 

withdrawals or expropriation

•  Reputational damage and loss  

of social licence to operate

•  Fines, penalties or criminal 

prosecution

•  Non-Technical Risk Standard sets minimum requirements  

•  Fully embedded Non-Technical Risk 

for stakeholder management

Standard

•  A quarterly political risk driver analysis is completed in partnership 

with the Business Units

•  Country Strategy Papers, alongside stakeholder engagement plans, 

provide context and a framework

•  Skilled, experienced and competent staff are embedded in  

Business Units and the Corporate Centre provides strategic  
advice and assurance

•  Safety, Sustainability and External Affairs (SSEA) scorecard monitors 
certain leading and lagging indicators of effectiveness such as work 
stoppage man hours/total man hours, % closure of grievances

•  Develop ‘landscape level solution’ 
plans that map and articulate 
integrated solutions for complex risks 

•  Develop an approach and plan to 

obtain agreements with communities

•  Develop a system to manage Group 
Regulatory and non-Supply Chain  
(SC) agreement compliance aligned  
to the Non-SC Agreement 
Management Standard

FINANCIAL

Insufficient liquidity and funding capability

Ian Springett, 

Chief Financial Officer

Finance & Portfolio 

Management

•  Excessive leverage could lead to  

the Group being unable to meet  

its financial obligations

•  Prudent approach to diversified debt and equity, with  
a balance maintained through business planning and  
performance management processes

•  Constrains ability to raise further debt

•  Finance standard in place to ensure debt funding is optimised  

for all assets and projects

•  The Board reviews and approves the financial strategy, the funding 

position and policy targets

•  $450 million additional bank 

commitments secured in 2015

•  Strength of assets retained debt 
capacity despite fall in oil prices

•  2015 year end facility headroom 
and free cash of $1.9 billion; net  
debt of $4 billion

•  Short-term and long-term cash forecasts are reported to Senior 

•  Mark-to-market value of hedging 

Management and to the Board on a regular basis

instruments $623 million at end 2015

•  Regular monitoring of maturities of facilities, and relationships  

•  2016 financing initiatives in progress; 

with lending banks and debt capital investors continually developed

•  Significant hedging policy adopted to protect against oil price volatility

discussions under way with 
commercial banks to consider 
possible refinancing/amendments  
to the RBL and RCF facilities

•  Capital allocation process 

implemented to meet funding targets

•  Board approved hedge programme to protect against low oil prices

•  Mark-to-market value of hedges  

•  Programme is monitored monthly and communicated to the Board

•  Hedging programme must be executed in accordance with the policy, 

with approvals sought ahead of execution

at the end of 2015 was $623 million

•  Approximately 52 per cent  

(64 per cent post-tax) of 2016 
entitlement oil production hedged at 
an average floor price of $75/bbl

•  Value of hedges support EBITDA  
and contribute to debt capacity  
under the RBL

•  Ongoing Production Loss Reporting and Root Cause Analysis  

•  2015 gross production averaged 

to identify actions and prevent issues reoccurring

102,600 bopd

•  Integrity, operations and competency systems in place, supported  
by critical spares and strategy and competency certification for all 
core crew

•  External and internal assurance programme 

•  Appropriate standards and plans in place

•  Weekly review of maintenance, fortnightly Asset Integrity Improvement 
Steering Committee, monthly Asset Integrity Management meetings 
and analysis by both Business Unit and Group Operations

•  Ongoing analysis of FSPO systems  
to strive for top quartile reliability 

•  Jubilee Asset Integrity Audit 

completed in 2015 

•  Implementation of Asset Integrity 

Improvement Plan

•  Improvements to Competency 

Assessments 

•  Purchase of critical spare equipment 

as per agreed spares strategy

www.tullowoil.com 

59

1 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS CONTINUED

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

9
Major operational incident

Paul McDade, 
Chief Operating Officer

Development & Production

Major failure in Tullow operated asset 
results in:

•  multiple fatalities or serious injuries

•  environmental damage or pollution 

•  asset damage or remediation

•  mitigation costs and compensation 

•  reputational damage

10
Inability to replenish exploration portfolio 

Angus McCoss, 
Exploration Director

Exploration & Appraisal

Failure to replenish exploration acreage  
or fund new ventures results in:

•  poor or no queue of drill-ready 

prospects

•  failure to deliver key element  

of growth strategy

11
Major cyber or information security 
incident

Angus McCoss, 
Exploration Director

Governance & Risk 
Management

A compromise could lead to:

•  disruption to or halt of  

critical business systems 

•  loss or theft of confidential 
information, competitive  
advantage and intellectual property

•  financial and/or reputational harm

60 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

•  Jubilee Asset Integrity Audit 

completed in 2015

•  Group-wide Well Delivery Process 

Audit completed

•  Ongoing compilation of Asset  

Integrity Action Plans

•  Competency reviews and regular 

monitoring of key data and procedures 

to identify gaps or losses

•  Identify and action improvements  

to Competency Assessments 

•  Ongoing audit of implementation and 

effectiveness of mitigation controls 

and actions

Mitigation and assurance

During exploration and appraisal:

•  Early well design and planning screening for new  

exploration opportunities

•  Well risk profiles reviewed by Senior Management

•  Well design, process and equipment in accordance with Well  

Design and Operations Standard, Well Control Standard and 

associated procedures

During development and production:

•  Minimum asset integrity, maintenance and planning  

requirements mandated through Production Operations  

Standard and associated procedures 

•  Use of computer-based maintenance systems and leading  

corrosion management application system

•  Independently verified Safety Case and Cases to Operate procedure

Overall: 

•  Vigorous assurance processes both internally and externally

•  Operations risk insurance coverage

•  Jubilee Asset Integrity Project Improvement Steering Committee 

meets fortnightly

•  In case of incident, contingency/containment plans e.g. emergency 

response procedures, with contracts in place for third-party support

•  New opportunities are considered against existing portfolio  

•  New licence granted in Guyana

to maintain diversity of prospects

•  Farm-down of licences in Suriname, 

•  Funding is limited and exploration portfolio reviewed annually

Norway, Mauritania

•  BDTs, in particular New Ventures, tasked with actively seeking  

•  Review of New Ventures strategy

and pursuing opportunities

•  Exploration and Appraisal Values Controls Standard in place

•  Exploration and Development Geosciences Executive team work  

with BDTs and Commercial team on portfolio planning

•  Corporate Centre assurance programme and central store of  

all exploration data

•  Twice-yearly review of exploration prospect inventory and tracking  

of net prospective risked resources

•  Geoscientists focused on  

seismic interpretation to  

decipher best prospects 

•  Ongoing farm-downs to reduce  

Tullow equity earlier in licence  

cycle to gain carries and reduce costs

•  Advanced Security Operations Centre (ASOC) provides global 

monitoring, analysis, alerting and incident response 

•  Bespoke advanced security equipment is used at key operations  

•  Ongoing Group-wide awareness 

training, with additional bespoke 

training for higher risk areas

sites which are continually updated with relevant intelligence

•  Ongoing improvement of network 

•  Active member of Cyber Information Sharing Partnership (CISP)  

infrastructure resilience 

and maintain key government relationships which provide alerts  

•  Specialist external assurance of TEN 

or response to hidden threats

and Jubilee industrial control systems

•  Third-party specialists analyse potential areas of weakness and 

provide network assurance activities

•  Group-wide awareness training, aligned with Information Security 

Standard, conducted across Tullow’s business and operations

STRATEGIC REPORT9

Major operational incident

Paul McDade, 

Chief Operating Officer

Development & Production

results in:

•  multiple fatalities or serious injuries

•  environmental damage or pollution 

•  asset damage or remediation

•  mitigation costs and compensation 

•  reputational damage

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance

Major failure in Tullow operated asset 

During exploration and appraisal:

•  Early well design and planning screening for new  

exploration opportunities

•  Well risk profiles reviewed by Senior Management

•  Well design, process and equipment in accordance with Well  
Design and Operations Standard, Well Control Standard and 
associated procedures

During development and production:

•  Minimum asset integrity, maintenance and planning  

requirements mandated through Production Operations  
Standard and associated procedures 

•  Use of computer-based maintenance systems and leading  

corrosion management application system

•  Independently verified Safety Case and Cases to Operate procedure

Overall: 

•  Vigorous assurance processes both internally and externally

•  Operations risk insurance coverage

•  Jubilee Asset Integrity Project Improvement Steering Committee 

meets fortnightly

•  In case of incident, contingency/containment plans e.g. emergency 
response procedures, with contracts in place for third-party support

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

•  Jubilee Asset Integrity Audit 

completed in 2015

•  Group-wide Well Delivery Process 

Audit completed

•  Ongoing compilation of Asset  

Integrity Action Plans

•  Competency reviews and regular 

monitoring of key data and procedures 
to identify gaps or losses

•  Identify and action improvements  

to Competency Assessments 

•  Ongoing audit of implementation and 
effectiveness of mitigation controls 
and actions

10

Inability to replenish exploration portfolio 

Angus McCoss, 

Exploration Director

Exploration & Appraisal

Failure to replenish exploration acreage  

or fund new ventures results in:

•  poor or no queue of drill-ready 

prospects

•  failure to deliver key element  

of growth strategy

11

incident

Major cyber or information security 

Angus McCoss, 

Exploration Director

Governance & Risk 

Management

A compromise could lead to:

•  disruption to or halt of  

critical business systems 

•  loss or theft of confidential 

information, competitive  

advantage and intellectual property

•  financial and/or reputational harm

•  New opportunities are considered against existing portfolio  

•  New licence granted in Guyana

to maintain diversity of prospects

•  Farm-down of licences in Suriname, 

•  Funding is limited and exploration portfolio reviewed annually

Norway, Mauritania

•  BDTs, in particular New Ventures, tasked with actively seeking  

•  Review of New Ventures strategy

and pursuing opportunities

•  Exploration and Appraisal Values Controls Standard in place

•  Exploration and Development Geosciences Executive team work  

with BDTs and Commercial team on portfolio planning

•  Corporate Centre assurance programme and central store of  

all exploration data

•  Twice-yearly review of exploration prospect inventory and tracking  

of net prospective risked resources

•  Advanced Security Operations Centre (ASOC) provides global 

monitoring, analysis, alerting and incident response 

•  Bespoke advanced security equipment is used at key operations  
sites which are continually updated with relevant intelligence

•  Active member of Cyber Information Sharing Partnership (CISP)  
and maintain key government relationships which provide alerts  
or response to hidden threats

•  Third-party specialists analyse potential areas of weakness and 

provide network assurance activities

•  Group-wide awareness training, aligned with Information Security 

Standard, conducted across Tullow’s business and operations

•  Geoscientists focused on  
seismic interpretation to  
decipher best prospects 

•  Ongoing farm-downs to reduce  
Tullow equity earlier in licence  
cycle to gain carries and reduce costs

•  Ongoing Group-wide awareness 
training, with additional bespoke 
training for higher risk areas

•  Ongoing improvement of network 

infrastructure resilience 

•  Specialist external assurance of TEN 
and Jubilee industrial control systems

www.tullowoil.com 

61

1 
 
PRINCIPAL RISKS CONTINUED

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

12
Failure to retain or develop key staff

Aidan Heavey, 
Chief Executive Officer

Organisation & Culture

•  Key skills and experience are not 

available internally, impacting delivery 
of the business plan 

•  Staff turnover increases resulting  
in recruitment costs and possible 
buy-in of short-term contractors

•  Disengaged workforce not aligned 

with culture of efficiency, performance 
management and cost consciousness 

•  Localisation and organisational  
plans may not be delivered,  
affecting relationships with  
national governments

•  Competitors recruit Tullow staff

COMPLIANCE

13
Major breach of business or ethical 
conduct standards

Aidan Heavey, 
Chief Executive Officer

Ian Springett, 
Chief Financial Officer

•  Unethical behaviour breaches 

anti-corruption laws

•  Implementation of the Tullow Code of Ethical Conduct, with annual 

•  Updated Code of Ethical Conduct 

certification process carried out with all staff

•  Established Ethics & Compliance 

•  Investigations result in reputational 

•  Gifts and Hospitality (G&H) Standard adhered to and maintained,  

Board sub-committee

Governance & Risk 
Management

damage

•  Cost impact through investigation 

costs and fines

•  Senior Officers liable under UK 

Bribery Act

•  Bi-annual performance and development cycle, with functions  

•  Revised organisation design  

and BDTs responsible for their employees’ development and  

with clear accountabilities 

career progression

•  Succession planning, localisation and diversity objectives are  

set and being actively progressed and key targets monitored 

•  Nominations Committee focus on diversity plan

•  Embedded performance  

management framework

•  Increased focus on staff  

engagement to embed culture

•  Organisation structure designed for HR Business Partner to  

•  Implementation of employee 

report key staff data including resignations through the line  

engagement plan

to BDT and functional discipline and to the HR function 

•  Monthly reporting to Executives of HR analytics

•  Organisation Strategy & Effectiveness (OSE) VP attends weekly 

Operations Committee meetings 

•  Key people data reported to monthly and quarterly performance 

management meetings 

•  A staff engagement plan is agreed with HR, Communications  

and Executives, with key deliverables set each year

•  Annual Employee Engagement Survey

•  Annual review of reward package 

•  Re-structured HR Delivery &  

Reward team to ensure higher  

level of capability and experience

•  Review of total reward for all 

employees planned in 2016 and 

one-off Exceptional Share Award 

made in 2015

•  Diversity plan defined with actions  

in place for 2016

with online G&H register available to all staff

•  Ongoing development of a monitoring 

•  Other relevant Ethics & Compliance standards, policies and 

and assurance plan to be used by 

procedures in place, adhered to and maintained

Business Units

•  Leadership leading by example and advocating good behaviour

•  Planned development of an e-learning 

•  Dedicated Ethics & Compliance Advisors in key Business Units

•  Appropriate due diligence carried out in relation to service providers, 

contractors and other counter-parties

•  Appropriate anti-bribery and corruption provisions in agreements  

with service providers, contractors and other counter-parties

solution to continue to promote the 

Code of Ethical Conduct 

•  Fraud Risk Awareness provided  

to 591 staff

•  Achieved 100 per cent completion of 

the self-certification of compliance  

with the Code of Ethical Conduct 

62 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORT 
12

Failure to retain or develop key staff

Aidan Heavey, 

Chief Executive Officer

Organisation & Culture

•  Key skills and experience are not 

available internally, impacting delivery 

of the business plan 

•  Staff turnover increases resulting  

in recruitment costs and possible 

buy-in of short-term contractors

•  Disengaged workforce not aligned 

with culture of efficiency, performance 

management and cost consciousness 

•  Localisation and organisational  

plans may not be delivered,  

affecting relationships with  

national governments

•  Competitors recruit Tullow staff

COMPLIANCE

13

Major breach of business or ethical 

conduct standards

Aidan Heavey, 

Chief Executive Officer

Ian Springett, 

Chief Financial Officer

Governance & Risk 

Management

damage

•  Cost impact through investigation 

costs and fines

•  Senior Officers liable under UK 

Bribery Act

Risk and Executive responsibility

Link to business model

Potential impact

Mitigation and assurance

•  Bi-annual performance and development cycle, with functions  
and BDTs responsible for their employees’ development and  
career progression

•  Succession planning, localisation and diversity objectives are  
set and being actively progressed and key targets monitored 

•  Nominations Committee focus on diversity plan

•  Organisation structure designed for HR Business Partner to  
report key staff data including resignations through the line  
to BDT and functional discipline and to the HR function 

•  Monthly reporting to Executives of HR analytics

•  Organisation Strategy & Effectiveness (OSE) VP attends weekly 

Operations Committee meetings 

•  Key people data reported to monthly and quarterly performance 

management meetings 

•  A staff engagement plan is agreed with HR, Communications  

and Executives, with key deliverables set each year

•  Annual Employee Engagement Survey

•  Annual review of reward package 

2015 outcomes and ongoing actions

•  Revised organisation design  
with clear accountabilities 

•  Embedded performance  
management framework

•  Increased focus on staff  

engagement to embed culture

•  Implementation of employee 

engagement plan

•  Re-structured HR Delivery &  

Reward team to ensure higher  
level of capability and experience

•  Review of total reward for all 

employees planned in 2016 and 
one-off Exceptional Share Award 
made in 2015

•  Diversity plan defined with actions  

in place for 2016

•  Unethical behaviour breaches 

anti-corruption laws

•  Implementation of the Tullow Code of Ethical Conduct, with annual 

•  Updated Code of Ethical Conduct 

certification process carried out with all staff

•  Established Ethics & Compliance 

•  Investigations result in reputational 

•  Gifts and Hospitality (G&H) Standard adhered to and maintained,  

Board sub-committee

with online G&H register available to all staff

•  Other relevant Ethics & Compliance standards, policies and 

procedures in place, adhered to and maintained

•  Leadership leading by example and advocating good behaviour

•  Dedicated Ethics & Compliance Advisors in key Business Units

•  Appropriate due diligence carried out in relation to service providers, 

contractors and other counter-parties

•  Appropriate anti-bribery and corruption provisions in agreements  

with service providers, contractors and other counter-parties

•  Ongoing development of a monitoring 
and assurance plan to be used by 
Business Units

•  Planned development of an e-learning 
solution to continue to promote the 
Code of Ethical Conduct 

•  Fraud Risk Awareness provided  

to 591 staff

•  Achieved 100 per cent completion of 
the self-certification of compliance  
with the Code of Ethical Conduct 

www.tullowoil.com 

63

1 
 
 
ORGANISATION & CULTURE

CREATING A FIT FOR  
PURPOSE TULLOW

Despite the challenges of the downturn for Tullow and the industry, we ended 2015  
with a new organisational structure that makes us more efficient, providing clearer  
lines of responsibility and accountability inside the business.

Tullow and the industry faced a year of significant challenge 
during 2015. Initiated ahead of the fall in oil price in 2014, 
work on our Major Simplification Project (MSP) dominated 
much of the year, leading to a restructuring aimed at driving 
efficiency and simplicity across the business, with clearer 
lines of accountability. The ultimate aim of the programme 
was to enhance shareholder value; make Tullow a more 
engaging and rewarding workplace for our staff; and over  
a three-year period, we expect to secure $500 million in  
cost savings. 

While there is more work to be done to embed the changes, 
it has already resulted in greater efficiency and a culture 
focused on better cost management and more regular  
and rigorous review and challenge of performance. 

Total workforce in 2015 was 1,403 (2014: 2,042) with  
1,156 permanent staff (2014: 1,595) and 247 contractors 
(2014: 447). While Tullow’s workforce has been reduced,  
we have also focused on engaging, reinvigorating and 
motivating our staff to help them focus on delivering  
our business objectives.

Employee engagement
Our 2014 annual employee survey, ‘engageTullow’, 
highlighted communication and organisational efficiency as 
areas for improvement. During the MSP, engagement with 
staff was a high priority. We held a series of focus groups 
with a cross-section of staff on why the MSP was needed  
and how it could have positive outcomes for the Company.  
In addition, we set up an internal confidential e-mail address  

“Establishing a new organisation with clearer 
lines of responsibility and accountability was a 
key achievement in 2015. While there is more 
work to do, we are already a more efficient and 
performance focused business.”

to encourage ideas and 
suggestions for 
organisational effectiveness 
from staff, and this platform 
became a critical and 
well-used feedback tool. 

We have implemented a new 
three-pillar organisational 
operating model, comprised 
of three Business Delivery 
Teams (BDTs), a corporate 
centre and a team which 
delivers services requested 
by the BDTs across the 
whole organisation. Now,  
we have clearer lines of 
accountability for delivery in the Business Delivery Teams; 
the corporate centre is better positioned to provide the 
advice and direction, governance, and assurance expected  
by our stakeholders; and employees are clearer about their 
roles and what is expected of them. 

This work and everything we do is underpinned by our 
values, which set the framework for our organisational 
culture. The behaviour we expect of our employees is set  
out in our Code of Ethical Conduct. We also work to create  
a consistent culture that embraces, understands and 
integrates the diverse set of international cultures and 
subcultures that make up our workforce. 

The new operating model has also helped to create a more 
streamlined organisation that is appropriate for the level  
of work in our exploration, development and production 
portfolio. In addition to managed headcount reduction,  
there was a natural turnover of 6 per cent across the Group.

64 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

In light of the amount of 
change in the organisation 
and how frequently 
employees have been asked 
to give feedback this year, we decided to postpone the annual 
employee survey until 2016. 

Reward
Tullow’s integrated reward strategy is designed to attract, 
retain and motivate the best talent in our industry. We aim  
to offer a transparent, competitive reward package of base 
salary, incentives and benefits, which reflects market 
practice and is fully compliant with the regulations in each  
of the countries where we operate. Our incentive plans  
are linked to the Company’s financial and operational 
performance, as well as to individual achievement  
measured through Tullow’s annual employee  
performance management process. 

All permanent employees have the opportunity to earn  
an annual bonus and a share award based on how well  
they perform against their set objectives for the year.  
Our employee share award plans are intended to provide 
employees with a longer-term stake in the success of  
our business. 

STRATEGIC REPORTIn recognition of this year’s challenging environment  
and employees’ commitment to the Company, a  
one-off Exceptional Share Award was granted  
to permanent employees. 

People plan 
Our approach to attracting, developing and retaining people 
starts by identifying our requirements through business 
plans and resource planning activities. Although the 
reduction in headcount and the pressures in the industry 
have been challenging, we worked to ensure that talent 
management and any recruitment was aligned with current 
business needs and anticipated future requirements. We 
also continued to develop a succession pipeline for Executive 
leaders, senior managers and other critical roles. 

We have now identified a pool of possible successors  
for 100 per cent of senior roles. During 2016, a robust 
assessment and development programme will be introduced 
to help develop future leaders. We have also looked at other 
critical roles and will ensure we have robust succession 
plans in place. 

An inclusive workforce that enables employees to reach 
their full potential is crucial to our business success, and 
we strive to create an environment where all employees 
are treated fairly, equally and with respect. We have  
57 nationalities in our workforce. Women made up  
28 per cent (396/1,403) of our total workforce in  
2015 and 22 per cent (76/338) of our managers  
and 17 per cent (2/12) of our Board of Directors.

Each of our key African Business Units is headed by 
African nationals, and 83 per cent of our Ghanaian 
Leadership Team is now represented by African nationals. 
Kenyan and Ugandan nationals make up 67 per cent of 
those respective Business Unit’s leadership teams.

In 2014, we reported on our plans to develop and meet 
clear diversity targets, but in light of the focus on the 
reorganisation and the reduction in headcount during  
the year, we deferred this work. Our 2016 Diversity Plan, 
which is on the Board’s agenda, will focus on setting 
nationality and gender targets with proactive monitoring 
and reporting against these goals.

NATIONALS IN COUNTRY LEADERSHIP TEAMS

6

4

6

4

2

2

6

5

1

Ghana

Kenya Uganda

•Local nationals  •Expatriates

Tullow employees in the Accra office, Ghana

The plan is aimed at being proportionate and with a 
nationality mix representative of our asset geographies,  
as well as seeking gender diversity particularly in senior 
leadership teams. Our local offices will primarily employ 
local nationals, and expatriate employees will have 
personal objectives committing them to training and 
development of local staff to support the Group’s 
localisation strategies, succession targets and our 
commitment to shared prosperity. 

Our recruitment practices will change and broaden  
to proactively seek out, attract and encourage stronger 
nationality and gender diversity in our workforce to  
deliver our Diversity Plan.

Training and development
There was a decrease in the amount of staff training  
that took place during 2015 as a direct result of the 
reorganisation. Some notable initiatives introduced were  
the in-house Passport to Manage course for new and 
inexperienced managers and team leaders, and the launch 
of Fundamentals of the Oil and Gas Industry – an interactive 
training and e-learning tool available on Tullow’s intranet.

Tullow continued its support of the Chartered Engineering 
Council-accredited Well Engineering Development 
Programme, achieving an 88 per cent retention rate of  
those who participated since the programme started in 2012.

During 2016, we plan to implement a 70:20:10 Development 
Framework that supports learning through experience, 
mentoring and formal training.

www.tullowoil.com 

65

1 
 
SHARED PROSPERITY

CREATING A POSITIVE  
LONG-TERM LEGACY

As Africa’s leading independent oil company, Tullow has a role to play in creating shared 
prosperity and leaving a legacy of sustainable social and economic benefits. We aim to do this  
by paying fair and appropriate amounts of tax, being transparent in the payments we make  
to governments, creating local employment, and building capacity to enable local businesses  
to bid successfully for contracts.

Tax transparency
Our payments to governments, including payments in kind, 
amounted to $391 million in 2015 (2014: $518 million). 

Total payments to all major stakeholder groups including 
employees, suppliers and communities, as well as 
governments, brought our total socio-economic contribution 
to $1.1 billion (2014: $1.4 billion). This included $309 million 
spent with local suppliers, $359 million in payroll globally 
and $8 million in discretionary spend on social projects. 

Our total payment made to the Ghanaian Government in 
2015 was $237 million (2014: $314 million). The reduction  
in income taxes paid was partly offset by an increase in our 
carried interest of approximately $30 million and withholding 
tax of $20 million. Other tax payments such as Value Added 
Tax and PAYE & national insurance were broadly consistent 
with 2014.

Lower oil prices and continued investment in the TEN Project 
will continue to have an impact on our likely payment of taxes 
to the Government of Ghana in 2016.

Opportunities for local businesses
Local content expenditures by contrast have increased by  
37 per cent across the Group and have almost doubled in 
Ghana. This is largely due to the ongoing concerted effort  
of the government, Tullow and our Joint Venture partners  
to identify contracts where local businesses can tender for 
the supply of goods and services locally. In 2015, in Ghana  
we spent $226 million (2014: $124 million) with local 
businesses. This expenditure also does not include the 
significant sums that our international suppliers spend  
with local businesses, which is as a direct result of our 
contracting strategy, which requires our international 
suppliers to maximise opportunities for local businesses 
within their contracts with Tullow.

Full disclosure under the UK Regulations of taxes and other 
payments to governments of our host countries can be found 
on page 171.

Operationally, our contracting and procurement processes 
are critical to delivering Local Content and we structure our 
contracts to optimise the amount of goods and services that 
can be sourced locally. We ensure that local companies are 
given the opportunity to prequalify for contracts and that our 
international suppliers submit Local Content Development 
Plans as part of contract tenders. These plans are part of 
our selection and award process and are continually 
reviewed throughout the life of the contract to ensure 
commitments are met. 

Local job creation 
We aim to align our local hiring policies with our host 
governments’ priorities, and we work to ensure that local 
staff make up the majority of our skilled workforce. Our 
localisation programmes focus on training and skills 
transfer through mentoring and job shadowing. Most 
contracts during the exploration and appraisal phase  
tend to be short term, making the recruitment and training 
of local staff problematic. This becomes easier during the 
development and production phases, when there is a  
clearer business case for the investment in required  
training programmes.

In Ghana, Tullow meets the requirements of the Local 
Content and Local Participation Bill (2013) and we have a 
target of employing local nationals in more than 90 per cent 
of positions for the Jubilee Field Phase I Development. 

NATIONALS IN COUNTRY AND BUSINESS UNIT (%)

83

67

74

66

94

93

68

58

78

61

68

58

Ghana

Uganda

Kenya

∙ Local nationals as a % of in country staff  
∙ Local nationals as a % of in country workforce 
∙ Local nationals as a % of business unit staff 
∙ Local nationals as a % of business unit workforce 

66 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

STRATEGIC REPORTThis year, in our Ghana Business Unit, the proportion of  
our expatriate staff marginally increased, reflecting the need 
to secure expertise for the TEN and the Jubilee Field Full 
Development Projects that was not available in Ghana.  
Once all operational phases of these projects are under  
way, the proportion of expatriates will decrease.

In Ghana, IIA is working to empower local enterprise and 
increase links to international companies with West Africa’s 
first online business platform – the African Partner Pool 
(APP). The APP allows Ghanaian small to medium sized 
enterprises to better promote their services and helps 
investors choose the best local businesses to partner with.

Although we have made progress in employing more local 
staff across all functions in Ghana, they remain under-
represented in technical and engineering roles. Overall, 
permanent staff who are Ghanaian nationals make up  
67 per cent of our Ghana-based workforce and 83 per cent  
of our permanent Ghana-based staff. However, the number  
of nationals as a proportion of our technical staff lags behind 
our target. 

In Kenya, as the Government prepares for the development 
of its oil and gas resources, its draft national content 
legislation is expected to come before parliament in 2016. 
This will build on the Petroleum Act that already requires 
Tullow to prioritise the employment and development of 
Kenyan nationals. Currently, Tullow Kenya has 194 
permanent employees and contractors working in our 
Nairobi offices and in the field, 61 per cent of whom are 
Kenyan nationals. Permanent staff who are nationals 
working in Tullow Kenya, represent 78 per cent of our 
employee base. We are committed to increasing the 
proportion of local staff and developing sector-specific skills 
and we continue to coordinate this effort with our partners 
and the Government. Improving this performance will be an 
area of focus in 2016.

Our Kenyan operations have created a number of local 
supply chain opportunities for businesses in Turkana. For 
example, Kapese Transporters specialise in providing light 
and heavy vehicles to transport personnel and materials  
to drill locations. Over the last five years, Kapese have 
increased the number of vehicles in their fleet and have  
been able to strategically diversify their business to include 
the supply of spare parts. 

Invest in Africa
Invest in Africa (IIA) was founded in 2012 by Tullow Oil  
with the vision of partnering with companies across  
sectors to create thriving African economies.

For example, prior to joining the APP, one of the major 
challenges faced by Adentiti, a Ghanaian IT supply company, 
was identifying and responding to tenders from larger 
companies in a quick and easy way. According to Business 
Development Manager Kafui Bokor: “The decision to join the 
APP was the solution that completely simplified Adentiti’s 
search for tenders.”

Adentiti now has access to opportunities from some of the 
biggest buyers in Ghana such as General Electric, Newmont 
Mining, Ecobank and others. After winning a tender posted 
on the APP, Adentiti has established a profitable business 
relationship with UT Bank. Adentiti is just one of over 1,000 
companies registered on the APP and Kafui concluded: 
“Adentiti has received so many benefits from being a 
member. I urge my fellow local SMEs to register to enjoy  
the many benefits it offers.” 

Social investment 
We support investment in education and training 
programmes to develop the future pipeline of expertise 
required by the oil and gas industry in the medium and  
long term. We try to ensure that our technical and vocational 
skills training programmes provide both relevant and 
transferable skills that will enhance long-term socio-
economic stability and boost growth in our host countries 
and communities.

Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme 
Tullow’s flagship social investment project remains the 
Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme. It is administered  
by the British Council and aims to build capacity in our host 
countries. $24 million has been invested over five years and 
students are sponsored to take academic and vocational 
courses at leading institutions. Over 400 students have 
benefited to date and 227 students have completed their 
courses. Participants have a 93 per cent employment rate 
following their studies.

LOCAL CONTENT ($ MILLION)

145.4

217.0

225.4

308.9

12

13

14

15

www.tullowoil.com 

67

1This Strategic Report and the information referred to herein have been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by: Kevin MassieCorporate Counsel and Company Secretary 
 
OUR EAST AFRICA BUSINESS

Tullow has a large onshore acreage position in 
Uganda and Kenya and considers this region 
to have great potential. To date, the Group has 
discovered a total of 2.3 billion barrels of oil in 
the Lake Albert Basin in Uganda and the South 
Lokichar Basin in Kenya. Tullow is focused on its 
continued exploration in Kenya and progressing 
the regional development.

CORPORATE 
2
GOVERNANCE

2

Directors’ report 

Audit Committee report  

Nominations Committee report  

EHS Committee report  

70

79

84

86

Ethics & Compliance Committee report   88

Directors’ remuneration report  

Other statutory information  

90

107

Drilling operations in Kenya

DIRECTORS’ REPORT

APPLYING THE UK CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE CODE

The UK Corporate Governance Code 
Tullow Oil plc is required, under the UK Listing Rules, to 
comply with the UK Corporate Governance Code (the ‘Code’) 
published by the Financial Reporting Council (the ‘FRC’) in 
September 2014, for the year ended 31 December 2015. A 
copy of the Code is available at www.frc.org.uk. In 2014, the 
FRC published the Code which applies to financial reporting 
periods commencing on or after 1 October 2014 and which 
replaced the previous UK Corporate Governance Code 
published in September 2012. The Code contains a number 
of new provisions, including requiring companies to: make 
greater disclosures of their strategic approach to risk and 
risk management; make a statement about the long-term 
viability and prospects of the company; ensure that 
remuneration policies are designed to deliver long-term 
benefits to the company and include measures for claw-back 
on variable pay; and, in cases where a significant proportion 
of shareholders oppose any particular measure, explain the 
actions the company intends to take to understand the 
reasons for this opposition.

This corporate governance report describes how the 
Company has applied the principles and standards set  
out in the Code during the year and sets out our activities 
relating to the main sections of the Code: Leadership, 
Effectiveness, Accountability, Remuneration and  
Relations with Shareholders. 

The Company is also required to disclose whether it has 
complied with the more detailed provisions of the Code 
during the year and, to the extent it has not done so, to 
explain any deviations from them. It is the Board’s view that 
the Company has fully complied with all of the provisions of 
the Code during the year ended 31 December 2015.

Leadership 
The long-term success of the Company is the collective 
responsibility of the Board.

The role of the Board
The Board is accountable to shareholders for the creation 
and delivery of strong, sustainable financial performance and 
long-term shareholder value. It meets these aims through 
setting the Group’s strategy and ensuring that the necessary 
resources are available to achieve the agreed strategic goals. 
The Board also sets the Company’s key policies and reviews 
management and financial performance. The Board 
operates within a framework of controls and these clear 
procedures, lines of responsibility and delegated authorities 
allow risk to be assessed and managed effectively. These  
are underpinned by the Board’s work to set the Group’s  
core values and standards of business conduct and ensure 
that these, together with the Group’s obligations to its 
stakeholders, are widely understood across all its activities.

Board meetings and visits 
The Board and its Committees deal with its core activities  
in planned meetings throughout the year. Matters which 
require decisions outside the scheduled meetings are dealt 
with through additional ad hoc meetings and conference 
calls. During 2015, the Board met eight times. A programme 
of strategy presentations covering a wide number of 
operational and other issues is made to the Board in  
June each year. During the year, each of the Regional  
Vice Presidents and other heads of functions presented  
a strategic overview of their respective area to the Board  
for endorsement. In particular, the Board reviewed and 
endorsed non-technical risk strategies for its major areas 
of operations.

The Board normally holds one Board meeting at a principal 
overseas office of the Group. These meetings ensure that  
the Board has a clear knowledge of the Company’s overseas 
operations. During the trip, Senior Management from across 
the Group present to the Board and have an opportunity to 
meet its members informally. In addition, the Board meets  
a broad cross-section of staff, assesses Senior Managers 
and reviews in depth operational matters and, in particular, 
matters relating to non-technical risks. In October 2015,  
the Board travelled to Accra. 

70 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEAttendance at meetings
The attendance of Directors at the eight scheduled  
meetings of the Board held during 2015 was as follows:

Director
Tutu Agyare
Mike Daly
Anne Drinkwater
Ann Grant
Aidan Heavey
Steve Lucas
Graham Martin
Angus McCoss
Paul McDade
Ian Springett
Simon Thompson 
Jeremy Wilson

No. of meetings attended 
(out of a total possible) 
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
8/8
7/8
8/8
8/8

In addition to the Board members, a number of  
Senior Managers attend relevant sections of Board  
meetings by invitation.

Division of responsibilities
The Chairman, Simon Thompson, is primarily responsible  
for the effective working of the Board, whilst the Chief 
Executive Officer, Aidan Heavey, is responsible for  
the operational management of the business, for  
developing strategy in consultation with the Board  
and for implementation of the strategy. This separation  
of responsibilities is clearly defined and agreed by the Board.

The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer maintain frequent 
contact with the other Directors in addition to the regular 
Board meetings. This ensures that all members of the  
Board have an opportunity to discuss any issues of  
concern and to be fully briefed on the Group’s operations.

Matters reserved
The Board has a formal schedule of matters reserved that 
can only be decided by the Board. This schedule is reviewed 
by the Board each year. The key matters reserved are the 
consideration and approval of: 

•  The Group’s overall strategy;

•  Financial Statements and dividend policy;

•  Borrowings and treasury policy;

•  Material acquisitions and disposals, material contracts, 

major capital expenditure projects and budgets;

•  Entry into new countries;

•  Risk management and internal controls (supported  

by the Audit Committee);

•  Succession planning and appointments (supported  

by the Nominations Committee);

•  The Group’s corporate governance and compliance 

arrangements; and

•  Corporate policies.

Summary of the Board’s work in the year
During 2015, the Board considered all relevant  
matters within its remit, with a particular focus  
on the following issues: 

•  Strategy and resource allocation; 

•  Non-technical risks in major areas of operation;

•  Portfolio management;

•  Finance and treasury;

•  Governance and compliance; 

•  Assurance, risk and internal audit; and

•  Organisational design, capacity and  

succession planning. 

www.tullowoil.com 

71

2 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

The Chairman 
The Chairman leads the Board, setting the agenda and 
ensuring that the meetings provide adequate time for 
discussion. From the time of his appointment as Chairman 
on 1 January 2012, Simon Thompson met the independence 
criteria set out in the Code and continues to do so.

Non-executive Directors 
The non-executive Directors have a broad range of business 
and commercial experience. They provide independent and 
constructive challenge to the Executive Management and 
monitor the performance of the management team in 
delivering the agreed objectives and targets. At the end of 
every scheduled Board meeting, the Chairman holds a 
discussion with the non-executive Directors without the 
Executive Directors. These are supplemented by informal 
meetings between the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
and the non-executive Directors.

The non-executive Directors receive regular briefings on  
the more technical and operational aspects of the Group’s 
activities. These include major offshore development 
projects (e.g. TEN). Non-executive Directors with particular 
expertise in these areas also meet the Chief Operating 
Officer and the Exploration Director to discuss operations  
in more detail.

Non-executive Directors are initially appointed for a  
term of three years, which may, subject to satisfactory 
performance and re-election by shareholders, be  
extended by mutual agreement.

Senior Independent Director
The Senior Independent Director, Ann Grant, is available  
to meet shareholders if they have concerns that cannot  
be resolved through discussion with the Chairman, Chief 
Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer or for matters 
where such contact would be inappropriate. During the year, 
she met with the other non-executive Directors without the 
Chairman to discuss the Chairman’s performance. 

Delegated authorities
Board Committees 
The Board has delegated matters to five Committees:  
the Audit Committee, the EHS Committee, the Ethics & 
Compliance Committee, the Nominations Committee and 
the Remuneration Committee and the Board is satisfied that 
the Committees have sufficient resources to carry out their 
duties effectively. Their terms of reference are reviewed  
and approved annually by the Board and the respective 
Committee Chairs report on their activities at the next  
Board meeting. Details of Committee membership, roles  
and work are set out later in this report: the Audit Committee 
on page 79, the EHS Committee on page 86, the Ethics  
& Compliance Committee on page 88, the Nominations 
Committee on page 84, and the Remuneration Committee  
on page 90.

Individual delegations
In addition to delegating certain matters to Board 
Committees, the Board has also delegated certain 
operational and management matters to the Executive 
Directors. In line with ICSA guidance, the Board approved 
formal terms of reference for the Executive Directors’ 
Committee in December 2015. 

Effectiveness
Composition of the Board 
The Board currently comprises the Chairman, Chief 
Executive Officer, four other Executive Directors and six 
independent non-executive Directors. Their biographical 
details are set out on pages 50 and 51. 

The Directors believe that the Board and its Committees 
consist of Directors with an appropriate balance of skills, 
experience, independence and diversity of background to 
enable them to discharge their duties and responsibilities 
effectively. The composition of the Board did not change 
during the course of 2015.

BOARD TENURE
GRAPH TITLE

2015 BOARD TIME

X.X
XXXXX

∙ Less than 1 year 
∙ 1 to 5 years 

–

6

∙ 5 to 10 years 
∙ Greater than 10 years 

4

2

∙ Strategy & Stakeholder Management  
∙ Financial management 
∙ SSEA 
∙ D&O 
∙ E&A 
∙ Governance/Risk Management 

24%

28%

12%

14%

7%

15%

72 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
Independence
The Board considers each of the non-executive Directors  
to be independent in character and judgement. The Board  
is fully satisfied that Ann Grant demonstrates complete 
independence and robustness of character and judgement  
in her capacity as Senior Independent Director. The Board  
is of the view that no individual or group of individuals 
dominates decision making.

Appointments to the Board 
The Nominations Committee reviews the structure, size  
and composition of the Board and makes recommendations 
to the Board about any changes required. As part of the 
appointments process, candidates disclose any other 
significant time commitments they may have and are 
required to inform the Board of any subsequent changes  
to such commitments.

Commitment
All Directors have disclosed their other significant 
commitments and confirmed that they have sufficient  
time to discharge their duties effectively.

Training and development needs 
Induction 
All new Directors receive an induction programme when they 
join the Board. This reflects their background, experience 
and knowledge and their understanding of the upstream oil 
industry and Tullow in particular. The programme includes 
one-to-one meetings with Senior Management, functional 
and Business Unit heads and, where appropriate, visits to 
the Group’s principal offices and operations. New Directors 
also receive an overview of their duties, corporate 
governance policies and Board processes.

Familiarisation and development 
All members of the Board have access to appropriate 
professional development courses to support them in 
meeting their obligations and duties. During the year, 
Directors attended external seminars on relevant topics 
relating to the business. They also receive ongoing briefings 
on current developments, including updates on governance 
and regulatory issues.

Information and support
Independent advice 
Directors have access to independent professional advice,  
at the Company’s expense, on any matter relating to their 
responsibilities. 

The Company Secretary
The Company Secretary is Kevin Massie, who is also  
the Company’s Corporate Counsel. He is responsible  
for ensuring compliance with all Board procedures and  
for providing advice to Directors when required. The 
Company Secretary provides company secretarial  
services to the Board and the Group. He acts as secretary  
to the Audit, Ethics & Compliance, Nominations and 
Remuneration Committees and has direct access to  
the Chairs of these Committees. 

Board evaluation 
In 2015 the Board undertook an internal evaluation of its  
own performance and effectiveness and also that of its 
Committees and individual Directors. The evaluation was 
facilitated by Lintstock Ltd and each of the Directors was 
required to submit responses to a series of questionnaires 
designed to the specific circumstances of the Company and, 
in particular, to pick up on themes identified in the 2014 
exercise, including the composition and expertise of the 
Board, strategic oversight, risk management and internal 
control, succession planning, human resource management 
and a review of past decisions. In addition, the Chairman 
conducted a process of interviews between himself and  
each of the individual Directors.

The results of the survey determined that the performance 
and composition of the Board and its Committees were 
adequate and found a strong alignment within the Board on 
the key strategic priorities in the year to come. The Board 
determined that its allocation of time and priorities and 
particularly its focus on strategy had improved in 2015. 
Discussions at Board meetings continued to display a 
positive balance of support and healthy challenge of 
management exercised by the non-executive Directors. The 
review noted a recent improvement in the presentation of 
information with a focus on the need for clearly articulating 
any decisions sought. The time management by the Board 
and each of its Committees was improved following a review 
and restructuring of its annual rolling agenda and meetings 
schedule. Finally, the review noted that the Board would 
need to continue to review: the size and composition of the 
Board and its Committees; the diversity and succession 
planning for Executive Directors and Senior Management; 
the utilisation of the non-executive Directors’ expertise;  
and the Board’s focus on strategic priorities and the market 
environment. The Board objectives for 2016 (set out on the 
next page) reflect the action plan and priorities agreed by  
all the Directors as part of the 2015 Board evaluation. 

www.tullowoil.com 

73

2 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

The internal Board evaluation carried out in 2015 followed 
the independent and interview-driven Board evaluation 
conducted by Lintstock in 2013 and the subsequent internal 
evaluation facilitated by Lintstock in 2014. This completes a 
three-year cycle of Board evaluation and it is envisaged that, 
in accordance with the requirements of the Code, the Board 
will commission a new external facilitation of the Board 
evaluation in 2016. Lintstock have no other connection  
to the Company.

Board objectives
We remain confident that the Board and the wider leadership 
team have the experience and track record to meet the 
Company’s aims of delivering long-term growth and 
successfully managing the challenges of an expanding 
international company. The Board sets its specific future 
objectives at the end of each year and they reflect the 
particular focus of the Company in the year ahead. Progress 
against each objective is tracked by the Company Secretary 
and reviewed with the Chairman at the mid-year point.

The following table shows how the Board performed against 
the 2015 objectives and also details the priorities and rolling 
agenda items the Board will focus on in 2016.

Re-election
All Directors seek re-election every year and accordingly  
all Directors will stand for re-election in 2016 (with the 
exception of Graham Martin who the Company has already 
announced will retire at the end of the AGM in April 2016). 
The Board has set out in the Notice of AGM its reasons for 
supporting the re-election of each of the Directors at the 
forthcoming AGM. 

74 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

2015 Board objectives

2015 Performance

2016 Board objectives

Strategy and 
execution

•  Regularly review strategy in light of market, 
political and socio-economic developments.

•  Deliver the TEN Project on time and on 

budget.

•  Progress development plans for Kenya/

Uganda.

•  Reduce expenditure and ensure high-grading 

of exploration opportunities.

•  Reduce costs, maximise cash flow from 
operations and manage business within 
prudent funding constraints.

Risk 
management

Continue to strengthen processes for 
identification, management and assurance of 
financial, technical and non-technical risks,  
with a particular focus on:

•  Safety, health and environment;

•  Reserves and resources management;

•  Capital project management;

•  Community relations and social performance;

issues in the countries and regions where Tullow is active. 

Governance  
and values

•  Government relations;

•  Liquidity management; and

•  Improving performance management.

•  Maintain and enhance Tullow’s culture  
and values throughout the re-shaping  
of the business.

•  Update the Code of Business Conduct  
to reflect trends and best practices  
and reinforce compliance with it.

Organisational 
capacity

•  Redesign, streamline and simplify 
organisational structure to deliver  
revised strategy.

•  Continue to strengthen Human  

Resource function.

•  Continue to strengthen Commercial function.

•  Progress Senior Executive development  

plans and strengthen succession planning  
for key positions.

•  Further increase diversity of talent pipeline.

Stakeholder 
engagement

•  Ensure that shareholders, staff and other 
major stakeholders understand and are 
aligned with the revised strategy.

•  Further enhance engagement with 

governments and Civil Society Organisations 
(CSOs) in our principal countries of operation.

•  The strategy was debated at the Board’s annual strategy offsite in June  

Test Tullow’s strategy against evolving market and 

and regularly reviewed throughout the year, as market conditions evolved. 

socio-political conditions to ensure that we:

•  The Board received regular updates on the TEN Project and travelled to 

Ghana in October to be briefed by the project team. The Ghana trip also 

allowed Directors to visit key facilities, including the FPSO. 

•  In Uganda, CGT and historic VAT issues were resolved. The Government  

of Kenya and Uganda issued a joint statement agreeing the Northern 

pipeline route in August. A draft field development plan for discoveries  

in the South Lokichar Basin in Kenya was submitted to the Government  

of Kenya in December.

•  The exploration budget was reduced to $200 million. 

•  The Major Simplification Project resulted in significant headcount and  

cost reductions across the Group. Headroom and liquidity were actively 

monitored throughout the year, amid a rapidly declining oil price. Tullow’s 

prudent hedging policy helped to maximise cash flow and the business  

was managed within funding constraints. 

•  Reduce costs, maximise cash flow from 

operations and manage the business  

to deleverage the balance sheet; 

•  Pursue portfolio management options;

•  Deliver the TEN Project on time and on budget; 

•  Create options for future growth, and continue 

to high-grade prospects, while minimising 

exploration expenditure; and 

•  Eliminate non-core activities and focus  

on core value-creation opportunities.

•  A revised enterprise risk management process was implemented, which 

Ensure the effective implementation of the revised 

maps Tullow’s key risks, potential impacts, mitigation strategies and 

enterprise risk management process. Maintain 

assurance processes. 

focus on:

•  A new Integrated Management System has been launched across the 

Tullow Group to centralise and simplify corporate policies and standards.

•  The Board receives regular reporting of project specific technical and 

non-technical risks. 

•  Liquidity management; 

•  Operational and project risk;

•  Safety, health and environment;

•  The Board receives quarterly political risk reports highlighting emerging 

•  Community relations and social performance;

•  Performance management has been added as a key component of  

the strategic people plan and is subject to regular Board review. 

•  Reserves and resources management; and

•  Government relations. 

•  The Major Simplification Project involved extensive staff engagement 

•  Maintain and enhance Tullow’s culture and 

aimed at establishing a more cost-conscious, entrepreneurial culture with 

values under challenging market conditions. 

clearer lines of responsibility and accountability for the delivery of the 

agreed strategy. 

•  A revised Code of Ethical Conduct was approved by the Board and is 

currently being rolled-out across the Group.

•  Ensure the new Code of Ethical Conduct is 

embedded and encourage all levels of 

management to champion the new Code. 

•  Ensure that the Integrated Management 

System is embedded and that Tullow’s policies, 

standards and procedures are consistently 

followed and result in efficient, safe and 

responsible operations.

•  The Major Simplification Project was completed during the year  

•  Monitor and assess the new organisational 

resulting in a significantly smaller and more streamlined organisation. 

design. Continue to look for ways to improve 

Efforts are ongoing to enhance performance management and 

efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. 

accountability in the business. 

•  A new Group Head of Reward has joined the HR team along with key  

hires in a strengthened commercial function. 

•  Continue to develop effective succession 

planning for the Executive Directors and  

Senior Management. 

•  Succession planning, diversity and talent management were regularly 

•  Develop detailed plans to enhance the  

discussed at Board level with an acknowledgement that improvement  

diversity of the leadership pipeline. 

is required in these areas. Processes to expedite the identification  

and development of a more diverse talent pool are under preparation.  

A new diversity KPI will be introduced in 2016.

•  Both Executive and non-executive Directors engaged with shareholders, 

•  Ensure that shareholders, staff and other 

staff, CSOs and other major stakeholders throughout the year.

major stakeholders understand and are aligned 

•  Internal communications were enhanced as part of the Major  

Simplification Project.

with the Tullow strategy.

•  Engage with shareholders and other key 

stakeholders to develop an appropriate 

remuneration policy for approval by 

shareholders in 2017. 

•  Further enhance engagement with 

governments and CSOs in our principal 

countries of operation.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEStrategy and 

execution

•  Regularly review strategy in light of market, 

political and socio-economic developments.

•  Deliver the TEN Project on time and on 

budget.

Uganda.

•  Progress development plans for Kenya/

•  Reduce expenditure and ensure high-grading 

of exploration opportunities.

•  Reduce costs, maximise cash flow from 

operations and manage business within 

prudent funding constraints.

Risk 

management

Continue to strengthen processes for 

identification, management and assurance of 

financial, technical and non-technical risks,  

with a particular focus on:

•  Safety, health and environment;

•  Reserves and resources management;

•  Capital project management;

•  Government relations;

•  Liquidity management; and

•  Improving performance management.

Governance  

and values

•  Maintain and enhance Tullow’s culture  

and values throughout the re-shaping  

of the business.

•  Update the Code of Business Conduct  

to reflect trends and best practices  

and reinforce compliance with it.

capacity

organisational structure to deliver  

revised strategy.

•  Continue to strengthen Human  

Resource function.

•  Continue to strengthen Commercial function.

•  Progress Senior Executive development  

plans and strengthen succession planning  

for key positions.

•  Further increase diversity of talent pipeline.

Stakeholder 

engagement

•  Ensure that shareholders, staff and other 

major stakeholders understand and are 

aligned with the revised strategy.

•  Further enhance engagement with 

governments and Civil Society Organisations 

(CSOs) in our principal countries of operation.

2015 Board objectives

2015 Performance

2016 Board objectives

•  The strategy was debated at the Board’s annual strategy offsite in June  

and regularly reviewed throughout the year, as market conditions evolved. 

Test Tullow’s strategy against evolving market and 
socio-political conditions to ensure that we:

•  The Board received regular updates on the TEN Project and travelled to 
Ghana in October to be briefed by the project team. The Ghana trip also 
allowed Directors to visit key facilities, including the FPSO. 

•  In Uganda, CGT and historic VAT issues were resolved. The Government  
of Kenya and Uganda issued a joint statement agreeing the Northern 
pipeline route in August. A draft field development plan for discoveries  
in the South Lokichar Basin in Kenya was submitted to the Government  
of Kenya in December.

•  The exploration budget was reduced to $200 million. 

•  The Major Simplification Project resulted in significant headcount and  
cost reductions across the Group. Headroom and liquidity were actively 
monitored throughout the year, amid a rapidly declining oil price. Tullow’s 
prudent hedging policy helped to maximise cash flow and the business  
was managed within funding constraints. 

•  Reduce costs, maximise cash flow from 
operations and manage the business  
to deleverage the balance sheet; 

•  Pursue portfolio management options;

•  Deliver the TEN Project on time and on budget; 

•  Create options for future growth, and continue 
to high-grade prospects, while minimising 
exploration expenditure; and 

•  Eliminate non-core activities and focus  
on core value-creation opportunities.

•  A revised enterprise risk management process was implemented, which 
maps Tullow’s key risks, potential impacts, mitigation strategies and 
assurance processes. 

Ensure the effective implementation of the revised 
enterprise risk management process. Maintain 
focus on:

•  A new Integrated Management System has been launched across the 

Tullow Group to centralise and simplify corporate policies and standards.

•  The Board receives regular reporting of project specific technical and 

non-technical risks. 

•  Liquidity management; 

•  Operational and project risk;

•  Safety, health and environment;

•  The Board receives quarterly political risk reports highlighting emerging 

•  Community relations and social performance;

•  Community relations and social performance;

issues in the countries and regions where Tullow is active. 

•  Performance management has been added as a key component of  
the strategic people plan and is subject to regular Board review. 

•  Reserves and resources management; and

•  Government relations. 

•  The Major Simplification Project involved extensive staff engagement 

•  Maintain and enhance Tullow’s culture and 

aimed at establishing a more cost-conscious, entrepreneurial culture with 
clearer lines of responsibility and accountability for the delivery of the 
agreed strategy. 

•  A revised Code of Ethical Conduct was approved by the Board and is 

currently being rolled-out across the Group.

values under challenging market conditions. 

•  Ensure the new Code of Ethical Conduct is 
embedded and encourage all levels of 
management to champion the new Code. 

•  Ensure that the Integrated Management 

System is embedded and that Tullow’s policies, 
standards and procedures are consistently 
followed and result in efficient, safe and 
responsible operations.

Organisational 

•  Redesign, streamline and simplify 

•  The Major Simplification Project was completed during the year  

•  Monitor and assess the new organisational 

resulting in a significantly smaller and more streamlined organisation. 
Efforts are ongoing to enhance performance management and 
accountability in the business. 

•  A new Group Head of Reward has joined the HR team along with key  

hires in a strengthened commercial function. 

•  Succession planning, diversity and talent management were regularly 
discussed at Board level with an acknowledgement that improvement  
is required in these areas. Processes to expedite the identification  
and development of a more diverse talent pool are under preparation.  
A new diversity KPI will be introduced in 2016.

design. Continue to look for ways to improve 
efficiency, effectiveness and accountability. 

•  Continue to develop effective succession 
planning for the Executive Directors and  
Senior Management. 

•  Develop detailed plans to enhance the  
diversity of the leadership pipeline. 

•  Both Executive and non-executive Directors engaged with shareholders, 

•  Ensure that shareholders, staff and other 

staff, CSOs and other major stakeholders throughout the year.

•  Internal communications were enhanced as part of the Major  

Simplification Project.

major stakeholders understand and are aligned 
with the Tullow strategy.

•  Engage with shareholders and other key 
stakeholders to develop an appropriate 
remuneration policy for approval by 
shareholders in 2017. 

•  Further enhance engagement with 

governments and CSOs in our principal 
countries of operation.

www.tullowoil.com 

75

2 
 
DIRECTORS’ REPORT CONTINUED

RELATIONS WITH SHAREHOLDERS
Communication and dialogue
Exploration and production companies have faced  
yet another challenging year. Oil prices falling to  
unexpected lows has impacted both companies  
and investors, and the sector, as a whole, continues  
to experience some negative shareholder sentiment. 

Tullow recognises that it is important to maintain open and 
transparent communication with shareholders and potential 
investors, especially in these difficult times. We do this 
through meetings, presentations, investor conferences  
and ad hoc events with institutional investors and sell-side 
analysts. Over the year, the Investor Relations (IR) team  
and Senior Management met some 380 institutions and  
the Group participated in approximately 40 roadshows  
and investor conferences around the world. Executive 
Directors and Senior Management met institutional  
investors in the UK, Europe, Ghana, Asia Pacific,  
South Africa and North America.

Tullow also participated in a roadshow for Socially 
Responsible Investors (SRI) following the release of our  
2014 CR Report in April 2015. These meetings provided an 
opportunity to discuss topics including health and safety, the 
environment, corporate governance, bribery and corruption, 
country and political risk and other operational matters. The 
meetings were hosted by our Vice President of SSEA and 
Head of IR. 

Tullow’s fourth Ghana Investor Forum took place in May 2015 
in Accra. The event gave key institutional shareholders the 
chance to hear presentations and question the Executive 
Directors and Senior Managers from the Ghana Business 
Unit. The Group recognises the importance of continued 
shareholder engagement with our 9,000 Ghanaian 
shareholders, and Tullow plans to give a ‘Facts Behind the 
Figures’ presentation to investors and brokers at the Ghana 
Stock Exchange in the second half of 2016. 

Meetings with Board members
Outside these formal events, institutional shareholders  
are offered the opportunity to meet the Chairman to  
discuss any issues and concerns in relation to the Group’s 
governance and strategy. Non-executive Directors are also 
available to attend meetings with major shareholders if 
requested to do so. 

The Board is kept in touch with market developments 
following major operational announcements through regular 
summaries from the Investor Relations team. They also 
receive a monthly Board Report which includes shareholder 
analysis, shareholder feedback and Tullow’s performance 
against our peers. 

Keeping shareholders informed
We ensure shareholders can access details of the Group’s 
results and other news releases through the London Stock 
Exchange’s Regulatory News Service. In addition, these news 
releases are published on the Media section of the Group’s 
website: www.tullowoil.com. Updates and details of the 

SHAREHOLDER ANALYSIS 
BY INVESTMENT STYLE

SHAREHOLDER ANALYSIS 
BY GEOGRAPHY

SHAREHOLDER ANALYSIS 
BY CATEGORY

∙ Value & Growth 
∙ Retail 
∙ Value 
∙ Growth 
∙ Hybrid 
∙ Other 

∙ UK 
∙ Europe 
∙ North America 
∙ Rest of the world 

40%

16%

11%

8%

8%

17%

55%

19%

20%

6%

∙ Mutual Fund Manager 
∙ Pension Fund Manager 
∙ Asset Manager 
∙ Insurance Fund Manager 
∙ Private Banking 
∙ Other 

29%

18%

12%

11%

7%

23%

76 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEstatus of exploration and development programmes are also 
available on the website. Shareholders and other interested 
parties can subscribe to email news updates by registering 
online on the website. The Group continually looks for ways 
to improve how we use online channels to communicate  
with our stakeholders. As part of this work Tullow launched  
a new corporate website in the first half of 2015. Among the 
improvements, the new site provides a consistent experience 
for all desktop, tablet and mobile devices. Since its launch in 
April, the new corporate website has had just under 200,000 
unique visitors and around one million page views.

We are also responding to the growing use of social media  
by shareholders and the media. The Group has circa 16,700 
followers on its corporate Twitter account, circa 12,000 on 
Facebook, circa 65,800 on its LinkedIn account and the films 
provided on YouTube have received circa 124,000 views. 

Another important way we keep shareholders informed  
is through regular formal reporting and Tullow’s Annual  
and Corporate Responsibility Reports are available on  
the corporate website. 

Communicating with bond holders
Tullow has two corporate bonds and the IR and Group 
Finance teams have continued their engagement with  
our bond investors through a number of High Yield 
conferences and one-on-one meetings throughout the year.

2016 KEY SHAREHOLDER 
ENGAGEMENTS
January
Trading Statement and Operational Update

February
Full Year Results

March
Full Year Results roadshows

April  
Annual General Meeting
Annual General Meeting Trading Update

July
Trading Statement and Operational Update 
Half Year Results

September
Half Year Results roadshows 

November
November Trading Update

WWW.TULLOWOIL.COM
Financial results, events, corporate reports, webcasts and fact books are all stored in the Investor Relations  
section of our website www.tullowoil.com/investors. 

2015 Annual Report and Accounts www.tullowoil.com/reports

www.tullowoil.com 

77

2 
 
Accountability 
This Report provides shareholders with a clear assessment 
of the Group’s position and prospects supplemented, as 
required, by other periodic financial and trading statements.

The Board’s arrangements for the application of risk 
management and internal control principles are detailed 
below. The Board has delegated oversight of the relationship 
with the Group’s external auditors to the Audit Committee. 
Their work is outlined in the Audit Committee report  
on page 79.

Going concern 
The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. 
Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities run 
for different scenarios including, but not limited to, changes 
in commodity prices, different production rates from the 
Group’s producing assets and delays to development 
projects. In addition to the Group’s operating cash flows, 
portfolio management opportunities are reviewed to 
potentially enhance the financial capability and flexibility  
of the Group. In the currently low commodity price 
environment, the Group has taken appropriate action to 
reduce its cost base and had $1.9 billion of debt liquidity 
headroom and free cash at the end of 2015. The Group’s 
forecasts, taking into account the risks described above, 
show that the Group will be able to operate within its current 
debt facilities and have sufficient financial headroom for the 
12 months from the date of approval of the 2015 Annual 
Report and Accounts.

Overall control is ensured by a regular detailed reporting 
system covering both technical progress of projects and the 
state of the Group’s financial affairs. The Board has put in 
place procedures for identifying, evaluating and managing 
principal risks that face the Group. Principal risks are 
regularly reported to the Board. 

Tullow recognises that any system of internal control can 
provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that 
material financial irregularities will be detected or that the 
risk of failure to achieve business objectives is eliminated. 
However, the Board’s objective is to ensure that Tullow has 
appropriate systems in place for the identification and 
management of risks. 

In accordance with the requirements of the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, the Board of Directors is required to 
monitor the Company’s risk management and internal 
control systems and, at least annually, carry out a review  
of their effectiveness, and report on that review in the Annual 
Report. At Tullow, the Board has delegated responsibility for 
this assessment to the Audit Committee, and results of the 
assessment are described on pages 82 and 83.

Remuneration
The Board has delegated responsibility for agreeing the 
remuneration policy for the Chairman, Chief Executive 
Officer, Executive Directors and senior executives to the 
Remuneration Committee. Its role and activities are set  
out in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on page 98. 

Notwithstanding our forecasts of liquidity headroom 
throughout the 12-month period, there remains a risk, given 
the volatility of the oil price environment and its impact on 
operating cash flows and facility availability, that the Group’s 
liquidity position may deteriorate and/or the Group may 
become technically non-compliant with one of its financial 
covenants at the end of 2016. 

Constructive use of the AGM
At the AGM held on 30 April 2015, shareholders received 
presentations setting out the key developments in the 
business and put questions to the Chairman, the Chairmen 
of the Audit, Nominations and Remuneration Committees 
and other members of the Board. A business presentation 
was held in Dublin on 1 May 2015 following the AGM. 

To mitigate this risk, we will continue to maintain our 
long-term banking relations and will monitor our cash  
flow projections and, if necessary, take mitigating actions 
well in advance to maintain our liquidity and compliance  
with covenants. Actions available to the Group include 
further rationalisation of our cost base, cuts to discretionary 
capital expenditure, portfolio management and other  
funding options.

Based on the analysis above, the Directors have a reasonable 
expectation that the Company has adequate resources to 
continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. 
Thus they continue to adopt the going concern basis of 
accounting in preparing the annual Financial Statements.

Internal controls
The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for the 
Group’s systems of internal control, which are designed  
to safeguard the assets of the Group and to ensure the 
reliability of financial information for both internal use  
and external publication and to comply with the 
requirements of the UK Corporate Governance Code. 

78 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

A poll was used to vote for all resolutions at the 2015 AGM, 
and the final results (which included all votes cast for, 
against and those withheld) were announced via the London 
Stock Exchange and on the Company’s corporate website. 
Notice of the AGM is sent to shareholders at least 20 working 
days before the meeting.

On behalf of the Board

Simon R Thompson
Chairman

9 February 2016

MORE INFORMATION

Risk Management  

Long-term viability statement 

52

55

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEAUDIT COMMITTEE

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

Strong corporate governance and risk management  
is a key part of Tullow’s business model and the Board 
and Audit Committee continue to be focused on 
maintaining high standards of governance and risk 
management across the Group. The Audit Committee 
oversees the financial reporting process in order  
to make sure that the information provided to the 
shareholders is fair, balanced and understandable  
and allows assessment of the Company’s position, 
performance, business model and strategy. The Audit 
Committee also oversaw the risk management and 
internal control system and we were pleased that 
during 2015 the risk management process has been 
considerably enhanced and internal controls have  
been further improved following the finalisation of  
SAP roll-out and formalisation of the fraud risk 
management framework, both of which strengthen 
control over accounting and reporting practices. 

A key agenda item for the Audit Committee in 2015 was 
implementation of the changes to the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the revised Financial Reporting 
Council (FRC) guidelines, which were published in the 
second half of 2014. Following the Board review of our 
risk management processes across the Group, the 
new risk management policy and standards have  
been approved which introduce a consistent 
enterprise-wide process of managing risk at Tullow. 
The Audit Committee plays an active role in that 
process by making sure it meets business needs  
and remains fit for purpose. 

Steve Lucas 
Chairman of the Audit Committee 

9 February 2016

Governance 
Steve Lucas has been Audit Committee Chairman since 
May 2012. Steve, who is a Chartered Accountant, was finance 
director at National Grid plc from 2002 to 2010. It is a 
requirement of the UK Corporate Governance Code that  
at least one Committee member has recent and relevant 
financial experience and Steve Lucas therefore meets this 
requirement. The other members of the Audit Committee 
are Ann Grant, Tutu Agyare, Anne Drinkwater, Jeremy Wilson 
and Mike Daly. Biographies of the Committee members are 
given on pages 50 and 51. Together the members of the 
Committee bring a broad range of industry, commercial  
and financial experience which is vital in supporting effective 
governance. The Company Secretary serves as the secretary 
to the Committee. 

The Chief Financial Officer, the Group Internal Audit 
Manager, the Vice President – Finance and Commercial and 
representatives of the external auditors are invited to attend 
each meeting of the Committee and participated in all of the 
meetings during 2015. The Chairman of the Board also 
attends meetings of the Committee by invitation and was 
present at all of the meetings in 2015. The external auditors 
and the Group Internal Audit Manager have unrestricted 
access to the Committee Chairman. 

In 2015, the Audit Committee met on four occasions. 
Meetings are scheduled to allow sufficient time for full 
discussion of key topics and to enable early identification  
and resolution of risks and issues. Meetings are aligned  
with the Group’s financial reporting calendar. 

The Committee reviewed and updated its terms of reference 
during the year. These are in line with best practice and 
reflect the requirements of the UK Corporate Governance 
Code, the FRC’s 2012 Guidance on Audit Committees, the 
FRC’s 2014 Guidance on Risk Management and Internal 
Control, and the Competition and Markets Authority’s The 
Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market 
Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender 
Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 
2014. The Audit Committee’s terms of reference can be 
accessed via the corporate website. The Board approved  
the terms of reference on 8 December 2015. 

Summary of responsibilities 
The Committee’s detailed responsibilities are described  
in its terms of reference and include: 

•  Monitor the integrity of the Financial Statements  

of the Group, reviewing and reporting to the Board  
on significant financial reporting issues and 
judgements, among others including going  
concern and viability assessments; 

•  Review and, where necessary, challenge the consistency 

of significant accounting policies, and whether 
appropriate accounting standards have been used; 

•  Review the content of the Annual Report and Accounts 
and advise the Board on whether it is fair, balanced and 
understandable and provides the information necessary 
for shareholders to assess Tullow’s position, 
performance, business model and strategy; 

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79

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

•   Monitor and review the adequacy and effectiveness of 
the Company’s internal financial controls and internal 
control and risk management systems; 

•  Review the adequacy of the whistle blowing system,  
and the Company’s procedures for detecting fraud; 

•  Review and assess the annual internal audit plan  
and receive a report on the results of the internal  
audit function’s work on a periodic basis; 

•  Oversee the relationship with the external auditors 

including assessing their independence and objectivity 
and review the annual audit plan to ensure it is 
consistent with the scope of the audit engagement,  
and review the findings of the audit; 

•  Assess the qualifications, expertise and resources  
of the external auditor and the effectiveness of the  
audit process; and 

•  Ensure that, following the transition period applied 
under the CMA Order, the audit services contract  
is put out to tender at least once every 10 years.

During the year the Board established the Ethics & 
Compliance Committee, which took responsibility for 
monitoring systems and controls to prevent bribery and 
corruption, which was previously a responsibility of the  
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee still received  
updates from the Group Ethics & Compliance Manager  
on any significant non-compliances. 

Key areas reviewed in 2015
The Committee fully discharged its responsibilities  
during the year. 

A key element of the governance requirements regarding the 
Group’s Financial Statements is for the report and accounts 
to be fair, balanced and understandable. To ensure this 
requirement is met by Tullow, the Group takes a collaborative 
approach to creating its Annual Report and Accounts, with 
direct input from the Board throughout the process. The 
process of planning, writing and reviewing the Report is run 
by a central project team, alongside a formal audit process 
undertaken by our external auditors. In order for the Audit 
Committee and the Board to be satisfied with the overall 
fairness, balance and clarity of the final report, the following 
steps are taken: 

•  Early planning, taking into consideration regulatory 

changes and best practice; 

•  Comprehensive guidance issued to key report 

contributors across the Group; 

•  Validation of data and information included in  

the report both internally and by external auditors; 

•  A series of key proof dates for comprehensive review 

across different levels in the Group that aim to ensure 
consistency and overall balance; and 

•  Senior Management and Board sign-off.

The following describes the work completed to discharge  
the Audit Committee’s main responsibilities: 

Financial reporting 
Monitoring the integrity of the Financial Statements and 
formal announcements relating to the Group’s financial 
performance. Reviewing the significant financial reporting 
issues and accounting policies and disclosures in the 
financial reports. 

The Committee met with the external auditors as part of the 
full-year and half-year accounts approval process. During 
this exercise the Committee considered the key audit risks 
identified as being significant to the 2015 accounts and the 
most appropriate treatment and disclosure of any new or 
judgemental matters identified during the audit and half-
yearly review as well as any recommendations or 
observations made by the external auditors. The primary 
areas of judgement considered by the Committee in relation 
to the 2015 accounts and how these were addressed are 
detailed on the next page:

2015 AUDIT COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS 
•  Approval of half-year and full-year Financial 

Statements 

•  Review of the effectiveness of the external  

audit process 

•  Review of the work of the independent  

reserves auditor 

•  Assessment of the remit and results  

of internal audit 

•  Review of Senior Accounting Officer  

sign-off process

•  Review of hedging and insurance arrangements

•  Oversight of key IT risks and major  

systems implementation

•  Oversight of the enterprise risk  

management process

Audit Committee membership 

Committee member 
Steve Lucas 
Tutu Agyare 
Anne Drinkwater 
Ann Grant 
Jeremy Wilson 
Mike Daly

Meetings 
attended 
(out of a total 
possible) 
4/4 
4/4 
4/4 
4/4 
4/4 
4/4 

80 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
Significant financial judgements for 2015

How the Committee addressed these judgements

Intangible assets – The amounts for intangible exploration and evaluation 
assets represent active exploration projects. These amounts are written-off  
to the income statement as exploration costs unless commercial reserves  
are established or the determination process is not completed. The key areas  
in which management has applied judgement are as follows: the Group’s 
intention to proceed with a future work programme for a prospect or licence,  
the likelihood of licence renewal or extension and the success of a well result  
or geological or geophysical survey.

Taxation – The Group is subject to various claims which arise in the ordinary 
course of its business, including tax claims from tax authorities in a number  
of the jurisdictions in which the Group operates. The Group assesses all such 
claims in the context of the tax laws of the countries in which it operates  
and, where applicable, makes provision for any settlements which it  
considers are probable.

Decommissioning – Decommissioning costs are uncertain and cost estimates 
can vary in response to many factors, including changes to the relevant legal 
requirements, the emergence of new technology or experience at other assets. 
The expected timing, work scope, amount of expenditure and risk weighting may 
also change. Therefore significant estimates and assumptions are made in 
determining the provision for decommissioning. 

Value in use of property, plant and equipment (PPE) – Management performs 
impairment tests on the Group’s PPE assets when there are indicators of 
impairments. The calculation of the recoverable amount requires estimation  
of future cash flows within complex impairment models. Key assumptions and 
estimates relate to commodity prices based on forward curves for two years and 
the long-term corporate economic assumptions thereafter, discount rates that 
are adjusted to reflect risks specific to individual assets, commercial reserves 
and the related cost profiles.

Carrying value of goodwill – Following the acquisition of Spring Energy in 2013, 
Tullow recognised goodwill in line with the requirements of IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations. Management performs impairment tests on the carrying value  
of goodwill semi-annually. The calculation of the recoverable amount is based 
on the likely future economic benefits of the exploration assets in the portfolio 
and is based on chance of exploration success and estimated value of the 
potential discoveries.

Provision for onerous contracts – Due to the reduction in planned future work 
programmes the Group has identified a number of onerous service contracts.  
In order to calculate the provision management have estimated the expected 
future usage. If the Group is able to sub-contract the rigs or find a use for  
them the provision will decrease.

Going concern – The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. 
Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities run for different 
scenarios including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices, different 
production rates from the Group’s producing assets and delays to development 
projects. In addition to the Group’s operating cash flows, portfolio management 
opportunities are reviewed to potentially enhance the financial capability and 
flexibility of the Group. In the currently low commodity price environment, the 
Group has taken appropriate action to reduce its cost base and had $1.9 billion 
of debt liquidity headroom at the end of 2015. The Group’s forecast, taking into 
account the risks described above, show that the Group will be able to operate 
within its current debt facilities and have sufficient financial headroom for the  
12 months from the date of approval of the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts.

The Group has a very active exploration and appraisal work 
programme and the Committee reviews and challenges 
management assumptions and judgements underlying the 
calculation of intangible assets for each well at each balance 
sheet date. In addition, Deloitte LLP have identified this as a 
significant area of focus for their audit and undertake discussions 
with operational and finance staff to challenge evidence provided 
by management to support the value of intangible assets and 
provide detailed reporting to the Committee on the results of  
their work. This is a recurring area of judgement.

The Committee was satisfied with the treatment of these 
issues and judgements applied through reporting from  
Senior Management, supported by advice from external 
professional advisers and independent legal counsel. This is  
also an area of higher risk and as a result the Committee receives 
in-depth written and oral reporting from Deloitte LLP on their 
conclusions from the audit of these matters. This is a recurring 
area of judgement.

A review of all decommissioning cost estimates is undertaken 
annually by an independent specialist. The results are then 
reviewed in the context of operator estimates for the purposes  
of the annual Financial Statements. Provision for environmental 
clean-up and remediation costs is based on current legal and 
contractual requirements, technology and price levels. The impact 
on decommissioning estimates was reviewed and challenged by 
the Committee. Deloitte LLP also reviewed the results as part of 
their audit. This is a recurring area of judgement.

Results of the impairment tests were discussed and challenged 
by the Committee and Deloitte LLP review these calculations and 
audit the underlying economic models to satisfy themselves of  
the integrity of the process. This is a recurring area of judgement.

Results of the impairment tests were discussed and challenged 
by the Committee and Deloitte LLP review these calculations and 
audit the underlying economic models to satisfy themselves of the 
integrity of the process.

The Committee reviewed and challenged the assessment of  
the Group’s onerous contracts with Deloitte LLP, including an 
assessment of the intended usage and assumed rates which 
underpinned the calculation of the provision. 

The Committee reviewed and challenged the assumptions and 
judgements in the underlying going concern forecast cashflows  
by discussing and analysing the risks, sensitivities and mitigations 
identified by management. This is also an area of higher risk  
and as a result the Committee receives in-depth written and oral 
reporting from Deloitte LLP on their conclusions on management 
assessment of going concern.

www.tullowoil.com 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT CONTINUED

External auditor 
Making recommendations to the Board on the appointment 
or re-appointment of the Group’s external auditors and 
overseeing the Board’s relationship with the external auditor 
and, where appropriate, the selection of a new external 
auditor, and assessing the effectiveness of the external  
audit process is a key responsibility of the Audit Committee. 

•  The UK Corporate Governance Code states that the 

Audit Committee should have primary responsibility  
for making a recommendation on the appointment, 
re-appointment or removal of the external auditors.  
On the basis of the review of external audit effectiveness 
described below, the Committee recommended to the 
Board that it recommends to shareholders the re-
appointment of the external auditors at the 2016 AGM; 

•  The external auditors are required to rotate the audit 

partner responsible for the Group audit every five years. 
Following interviews with Tullow Directors, the new  
lead audit partner started his tenure in 2015; 

•  The audit contract was last tendered in 2004 and no 
contractual obligations existed that acted to restrict  
the Audit Committee’s choice of external auditors. 
Under the EU Audit Regulation and the Competition  
and Markets Authority “The Statutory Audit Services for 
Large Companies Market Investigation (Mandatory Use 
of Competitive Tender Processes and Audit Committee 
Responsibilities)” Order 2014, Tullow elected to apply 
the transitional rules with an annual review of this 
approach. According to those rules, the Company is 
required to run a competitive tender process in respect 
of auditor appointment no later than 31 December  
2024 year end. 

•  The Group’s external auditors are Deloitte LLP and the 
Audit Committee assessed the qualification, expertise 
and resources, and independence of the external 
auditors as well as the effectiveness of the audit 
process. This review covered all aspects of the audit 
service provided by Deloitte LLP, including obtaining  
a report on the audit firm’s own internal quality control 
procedures and consideration of the audit firm’s annual 
transparency reports in line with the UK Corporate 
Governance Code. The Audit Committee also  
approved the external audit terms of engagement and 
remuneration. During 2015 the Committee held private 
meetings with the external auditors and the Audit 
Committee Chairman also maintained regular contact 
with the audit partner throughout the year. These 
meetings provide an opportunity for open dialogue  
with the external auditors without management being 
present. Matters discussed included the auditor’s 
assessment of significant financial risks and the 
performance of management in addressing these risks, 
the auditor’s opinion of management’s role in fulfilling 
obligations for the maintenance of internal controls,  
the transparency and responsiveness of interactions 
with management, confirmation that no restrictions 
have been placed on them by management, maintaining 
the independence of the audit and how they have 
exercised professional challenge; 

•  In order to ensure the effectiveness of the external  
audit process, Deloitte LLP conduct an audit risk 
identification process at the start of the audit cycle.  
This plan is presented to the Audit Committee for their 
review and approval and, for the 2015 audit, the key 
audit risks identified included carrying value of 
exploration and evaluation assets, carrying value of 
plant, property and equipment, provision for tax claims, 
provision for onerous rig contracts, oil and gas reserves, 
decommissioning provisions, risk of management 
override, liquidity risk and going concern, Depreciation 
Depletion and Amortisation (DD&A), as well as  
revenue recognition. These and other identified risks  
are reviewed through the year and reported at Audit 
Committee meetings where the Committee challenges 
the work completed by the auditor and tests 
management’s assumptions and estimates in  
relation to these risks. The Committee also seeks an 
assessment from management of the effectiveness of 
the audit process. In addition, a separate questionnaire 
addressed to all attendees of the Audit Committee and 
senior finance managers is used to assess external 
audit effectiveness. As a result of these reviews, the 
Audit Committee considered the external audit  
process to be operating effectively; 

•  The Committee closely monitors the level of audit and 
non-audit services provided by the external auditors  
to the Group. Non-audit services are normally limited  
to assignments that are closely related to the annual 
audit or where the work is of such a nature that a 
detailed understanding of the Group is necessary. A 
policy and standard for the engagement of the external 
auditor to supply non-audit services is in place to 
formalise these arrangements, which requires Audit 
Committee approval for certain categories of work. This 
policy and standard are designed to ensure the external 
auditor’s independence is maintained. They have been 
revised in 2015 to reflect changes in the regulatory 
environment; and 

•  A breakdown of the fees paid to the external auditors in 
respect of audit and non-audit work is included in note 4 
to the Financial Statements. In addition to processes put 
in place to ensure segregation of audit and non-audit 
roles, Deloitte LLP is required, as part of the assurance 
process in relation to the audit, to confirm to the 
Committee that they have both the appropriate 
independence and the objectivity to allow them to 
continue to serve the members of the Company.  
This confirmation is received every six months and no 
matters of concern were identified by the Committee. 

Internal controls and risk management 
Responsibility for reviewing the effectiveness of the  
Group’s risk management and internal control systems  
was delegated to the Audit Committee by the Board. 

The Audit Committee obtained comfort over the effectiveness 
of the Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems through activities coordinated by the internal  
audit function. These activities comprised: 

82 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE•  audit reviews undertaken by the internal audit team;

•  assurance activities undertaken by the Group functions;

•  management’s review of internal controls through  

the control self-assessment (CSA) process; 

•  external auditor’s observations on internal financial 

controls identified as part of their audit, and 

•  regular risk and assurance reporting by the business 

unit and corporate teams to the Board.

During the year, Group Internal Audit presented their 
findings to the Audit Committee who monitored progress of 
issues raised and their timely resolution on a regular basis. 

In addition, during the year, the Audit Committee received 
reports from the independent reserves auditor ERCE  
and reviewed the arrangements in place for managing 
Information Technology risk relating to the Group’s critical 
information systems. The Committee also reviewed the 
arrangements for Company employees and contractors  
to raise concerns through the “Speaking- Up” programme. 
The Committee oversaw the enhancement of the  
enterprise risk management process and fraud  
risk management framework.

Based on the results of the annual effectiveness review  
of risk management and internal control systems that was 
coordinated by Group Internal Audit, the Audit Committee 
concluded that the system of internal controls operated 
effectively throughout the financial year and up to the  
date on which the Financial Statements were signed.

Internal audit requirements 
Considering how the Group’s internal audit requirements 
shall be satisfied and making recommendations to  
the Board. 

•  The Group Internal Audit Manager has direct access  
and responsibility to the Audit Committee Chairman  
and Committee. His main responsibilities include: 
evaluating the development of the Group’s overall 
control environment as well as the effectiveness of risk 
identification and management at operating, regional 
and corporate levels. During 2015, the Group Internal 
Audit Manager met with the Audit Committee Chairman 
and with the Audit Committee without the presence of 
management to assess management’s responsiveness 
to Internal Audit recommendations made during the 
year and to assess the effectiveness of Internal Audit; 

•  The Committee reviewed and challenged the 

programme of 2015 Internal Audit work developed to 
address both financial and overall risk management 
objectives identified within the Group. The plan was 
subsequently adopted with progress reported at each  
of the Audit Committee meetings. 32 internal audit 
reviews were undertaken during the year, covering  
a range of financial and business processes in the 
Group’s London office and the main operational 
locations in Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and 
Norway. Detailed results from these reviews were 
reported to management and in summary to the Audit 
Committee during the year. Where required the Audit 
Committee receives full details on any key findings. The 

Audit Committee receives regular reports on  
the status of the implementation of Internal Audit 
recommendations. The Group also undertook  
regular audits of non-operated joint ventures  
under the supervision of business unit management  
and the Group Internal Audit Manager;

•  The Committee receives summaries of investigations  

of known or suspected fraudulent activity by third 
parties and employees including ongoing monitoring 
and following-up of fraud investigations; and

•  The Audit Committee assessed the effectiveness of 
Internal Audit through its review of progress versus 
plan, the results of audits reported at each of the 
meetings, and through the thorough self-assessment 
review report provided by the Group Internal Audit 
Manager. Results of the review were discussed at the 
Committee and actions to further improve Internal  
Audit effectiveness are being implemented. Resourcing 
levels in Internal Audit are assessed by the Audit 
Committee with a view to ensuring that it can fully 
discharge its duties.

Whistle-blowing procedure 
Ensuring that an effective whistle-blowing procedure  
is in place. 

•  In line with best practice and to ensure Tullow works  

to the highest ethical standards, an independent 
whistle-blowing procedure was in operation throughout 
2015 to allow staff to confidentially raise any concerns 
about business practices. This procedure complements 
established internal reporting processes. The whistle-
blowing policy is included in the Code of Ethical Conduct 
which is available to all staff in printed form and on the 
corporate website. The Committee considers the 
whistle-blowing procedures to be appropriate for  
the size and scale of the Group. 

Review of effectiveness of the Audit Committee 
•  During the year, the Audit Committee commissioned  
an independent review of its own effectiveness with  
the results reported to the Board. The Committee was 
considered to be operating effectively and in accordance 
with the UK Corporate Governance Code and the 
relevant guidance.

ALLOCATION OF 
AUDIT COMMITTEE TIME

∙ Financial results 
∙ Internal audit matters 

40%

11%

∙ Risk and controls 
∙ Governance 

33%

16%

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NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE REPORT

NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE

DEAR SHAREHOLDER
There are five Executive and seven non-executive 
Directors on the Tullow Board. They come from varied 
professional backgrounds and provide the Board with a 
diverse range of experience, knowledge and approach. 
Their biographies are set out on pages 50 and 51 of 
this report.

The main task of the Nominations Committee is to 
ensure that the Board has the necessary skills and 
expertise to support the Company’s current and  
future activities. In addition, we work to ensure that  
we recruit, develop and retain a diverse group of senior 
managers who will be able to take on the most senior 
positions in the Company in the future.

Simon Thompson
Chairman of the Nominations Committee

9 February 2016

Committee’s role
The Committee reviews the composition and balance of  
the Board and the senior executive team on a regular basis. 
When recruiting new Executive or non-executive Directors, 
the Committee appoints external search consultants to 
provide a list of possible candidates, from which a shortlist  
is produced. External consultants are instructed that 
diversity is one of the criteria that the Committee will  
take into consideration in their selection of the shortlist.  
The Committee’s terms of reference are reviewed  
annually and are set out on the corporate website.

Committee’s main responsibilities
The Committee’s main duties are:

•  Reviewing the structure, size and composition of the 

Board (including the skills, knowledge, experience and 
diversity of its members) and making recommendations 
to the Board with regard to any changes required;

•  Identifying and nominating, for Board approval, 
candidates to fill Board vacancies as and when  
they arise;

•  Succession planning for Directors and other  

senior executives;

•  Reviewing annually the time commitment required  

of non-executive Directors; and

•  Making recommendations to the Board  

regarding membership of the Audit, Remuneration  
and other Committees in consultation with the Chair  
of each Committee.

Committee membership and meetings
The Committee was comprised of four non-executive 
Directors for the majority of 2015. In December 2015, on  
the Committee’s recommendation, the Board approved  
the appointment of the remaining non-executive Directors,  
Anne Drinkwater, Mike Daly and Jeremy Wilson, to the 
Committee. Simon Thompson was Chairman of the 
Committee throughout the year. The membership and 
attendance of members at Committee meetings held in  
2015 are shown in the table on the next page.

In addition to the two formal meetings, the Committee’s 
remit allowed for informal discussions, interviews, telephone 
conversations and a number of informal meetings during  
the year.

Committee activities
The principal activities of the Committee during 2015  
and after the year-end were:

•  Board diversity – The Board currently consists of five 
Executive and seven non-executive Directors. Two of  
the seven non-executive Directors are women but all  
of the Executive Directors are men, which translates  
to a relatively low level of gender diversity. The Board 
supports the aspirations set out in the 2011 Davies 
Report ‘Women on Boards’ that women should make up 
at least 25 per cent of board positions, but to achieve 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE2015 NOMINATIONS COMMITTEE 
MEMBERSHIP & ATTENDENCE

Committee member 
Simon Thompson (Chair)
Tutu Agyare 
Steve Lucas
Ann Grant
Mike Daly
Anne Drinkwater
Jeremy Wilson

* Appointed to Committee in December 2015

Meetings 
attended 
(out of a total 
possible) 
2/2
2/2 
2/2
2/2
0/0*
0/0*
0/0*

this within the timeframe contemplated would restrict 
future Board appointments to women only, which may 
not be in the best interest of the Company. 

•  However we continue to seek to address the problem  
of lack of gender diversity in the Senior Management 
pipeline, as described in the Organisation and Culture 
section on page 64. Currently, 12 per cent of Senior 
Managers are women. The Board most recently 
discussed diversity at its meeting in December 2015  
and agreed to prepare a specific plan to improve both 
gender and ethnic diversity, including key performance 
indicators that would be used to determine an element 
of performance-related pay for Senior Executives,  
in 2016. 

•  2015 was a difficult year for the entire oil industry and 
Tullow implemented significant changes to its internal 
structure and a major headcount reduction in response 
to market conditions. In these circumstances, it proved 
difficult to proactively address the diversity shortfall 
through recruitment, but the Committee and the Board 
determined that it was critical that existing diversity 
levels should not be adversely impacted by this major 
reorganisation. A review in December 2015 confirmed 
that diversity levels were broadly unchanged when 
compared with 2014 data.

•  Senior Management succession planning – The 

Committee and the Board work closely with Executive 
Directors to review the Senior Management talent pool 
within Tullow. We seek to ensure that all candidates 
have personal development plans that will provide  
them with the knowledge and skills required to progress 
within Tullow. Within this work, we pay particular 
attention to the development of individuals who would 
increase the diversity of the Senior Management team. 
During 2015 a new leadership programme was 
developed which will be implemented in 2016. 

•  Membership of Board Committees – The Committee is 
responsible for nominating appropriate individuals for 
appointment or re-appointment to Board Committees  
to ensure that those Committees have members with 
the necessary skills, knowledge and experience. As  
set out above, in December 2015, on the Committee’s 
recommendation, the Board approved the appointment 
of Anne Drinkwater, Mike Daly and Jeremy Wilson to the 
Nominations Committee. 

•  Committee evaluation – The performances of the Board 

and its Committees were considered as part of the 
Board evaluation process and one of the resulting 
actions was the appointment of the remaining non-
executive Directors as members of the Committee.

•  In December 2015, Tullow announced the retirement  
of Graham Martin following the 2016 Annual General 
Meeting, which will be held on 28 April 2016. Graham 
also stepped down from his position as Company 
Secretary with effect from 1 January 2016 and was 
replaced as Company Secretary by Kevin Massie.

www.tullowoil.com 

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EHS COMMITTEE REPORT

EHS COMMITTEE

DEAR SHAREHOLDER
The Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) Committee 
monitors the performance and key risks the Company 
faces in relation to its occupational and process safety, 
security, health and environmental management. 

Process safety is an enduring focus for the Committee. 
We had the opportunity to review first-hand the 
progress being made on the Jubilee multi-year  
Asset Integrity Management Plan during a site visit  
to the FPSO Kwame Nkrumah in October 2015. We 
also reviewed the structure and competence of the 
integrated operations team that underpins process 
safety – this same team will also support TEN 
operations, leading to the efficient transfer of  
best practice. 

The EHS Committee has observed how Tullow’s 
simplification of its business and risk management 
process within the Integrated Management System  
has facilitated greater emphasis on improving the  
core elements of good EHS performance such as  
work planning. 

During 2015 Tullow made significant progress in 
implementing the UN Voluntary Principles on Security 
and Human Rights (VPSHR) in its operations. This is 
particularly important in onshore operations, such as 
in Uganda and Kenya, and sets a solid foundation for 
the development phase. 

Anne Drinkwater 
Chair of the EHS Committee

9 February 2016

Committee’s role 
The Committee has an objective of enhancing the Board’s 
engagement with EHS by instigating appropriate in-depth 
reviews of strategically important EHS issues for the Group. 
The agenda of the Committee is forward looking, seeking to 
provide appropriate advice in anticipation of emerging risks 
the business might face in its operations. The Committee 
reviews a wide range of EHS leading and lagging indicators 
to gain insight into how EHS policies, standards and 
practices are being realised in the field. Some examples  
are high-potential incidents, especially where incidents 
occur repeatedly in one location or activity, and audit and 
investigation outcomes.

Committee’s main responsibilities
The Committee’s responsibilities are:

•  Advising on Company EHS policies;

•  Providing feedback on Company EHS standards and 

practices;

•  Monitoring performance on implementation of its 

environmental, health, security and safety policies, 
including process safety management;

•  Providing feedback on reports relating to material 

environmental, health and safety risks; and

•  Assessing material regulatory and technical 

developments in the field of EHS management.

The Committee’s terms of reference are reviewed  
annually and can be accessed on the corporate website. 

The Committee currently comprises three non-executive 
Directors and one Executive Director – Paul McDade,  
who has executive responsibility for EHS across the Group.  
Anne Drinkwater is Chair of the Committee and chaired all 
meetings throughout the year. Collectively, the Committee 
members have considerable operational EHS experience 
from diverse operating environments across the oil and  
gas and extractive industries. 

In addition to the core Committee members, functional 
heads and Senior Managers from across the Group were 
invited to meetings to provide additional details and insights 
on specific agenda items, provide guidance on EHS issues, 
or discuss how EHS can be embedded across their parts  
of the business. 2015 visiting attendees included Senior 
Management and management team members from  
the SSEA function and line leadership.

86 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCECommittee activities in 2015
•  The Committee reviewed the EHS elements of the  

Looking forward to 2016
•  The Committee will have a continued emphasis on 

SSEA 2015 plan. The plan sets out milestones towards 
achieving SSEA’s multiyear objectives and covers  
all aspects of EHS. Specific examples are:

process safety, and will continue to closely monitor the 
Jubilee Asset Integrity Management Plan to completion 
and to review well control.

•  As TEN heads towards first oil in 2016, the Committee 
will monitor implementation of EHS in the planned 
pre-start up audit.

•  The Committee will place an emphasis on reviewing  
the EHS elements of the East Africa development 
project plans.

•  An external audit of VPSHR in Kenya stated that ‘the 
approach compares well with other projects in the 
exploration phase’, and made recommendations  
for future stage improvements. The Committee  
will monitor delivery of the plan developed by SSEA. 

2015 EHS COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
•  Simplification actions taken by Tullow leadership 

have clarified policies, set out clear standards and 
identified accountabilities. These simplifying steps 
are making the organisation more efficient and 
deploy skills to where they are most needed to 
improve EHS delivery.

•  Implementation of a common enterprise-wide  
risk management process across the business, 
bringing enhanced clarity to the top EHS risks  
and their mitigation.

•  Developing and commencing the implementation 

of the Jubilee Asset Integrity Plan which  
brings together all tasks with clear priorities, 
accountabilities and resourcing.

•  Progress on VPSHR in Kenya. 

•  Successful Committee visit to the Jubilee  

FPSO in Ghana.

EHS Committee membership

Committee member 
Anne Drinkwater (Chair)
Paul McDade
Simon Thompson
Mike Daly

Meetings (out 
of a total 
possible)
4/4
4/4
4/4
4/4

 –   Finalising Safe and Sustainable Operations  
and Human Rights policies, and issuing  
supporting standards;

 – Process safety and asset integrity audit of  

the Jubilee FPSO;

 – Implementing the Voluntary Principles on  
Security and Human Rights (VPSHR); and

 – Continuing to develop competence across  

the range of EHS skills.

•  In monitoring the plan during 2015, the Committee 
noted the benefits to the business of clear, simple 
standards and accountabilities. This facilitated greater 
focus on improving the foundational elements of good 
EHS performance, including work planning, work force 
competency, and adherence to critical procedures. 

•  At each meeting the Committee tracked performance 

against EHS KPIs, which cover both leading and lagging 
indicators. In addition to providing a snapshot of 
progress, they have been used to inform areas where 
more focus may be required, such as asset integrity. 

•  During 2015, Tullow implemented a four-tiered risk 

assurance framework in order to provide different levels 
of the organisation with assurance that risks are being 
appropriately managed, and that mandatory Group 
requirements and standards are being adhered to. 
Within this context, the Committee reviewed 
implementation of VPSHR in Kenya and Ghana,  
asset integrity management on Jubilee, well  
control, and greenhouse gas management. 

•  During the year the Committee worked to ensure that 
lessons learnt from incident investigations and audits 
were incorporated in the IMS and business processes. 
An example is the inclusion of environmental and social 
management plans in the Company’s stage gate 
assurance and decision processes.

•  Members of the EHS Committee visited the Jubilee 
FPSO in October. The main purpose of the visit was  
to review progress on the multiyear Asset Integrity 
Management Plan. The plan is risk-assessed and 
prioritised, and progress on the plan was evident  
from the Committee’s reviews both on the FPSO  
and in the Accra office. 

•  During that site visit, the Committee also reviewed  
the structure and competence of the integrated 
operations team that is an important element of  
Jubilee best practice. Lessons learned from this  
review are being embedded in TEN operations.

•  As part of the review process that resulted in the 
Board’s decision to not operate in UNESCO World 
Heritage sites, the SSEA team developed a Protected 
Areas Management Process which will inform the 
Group’s decision-making process for entry to new 
areas, as well as new activities within existing acreage. 

www.tullowoil.com 

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ETHICS & COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE

ETHICS & COMPLIANCE COMMITTEE

DEAR SHAREHOLDER

Tullow’s good reputation for business integrity is one  
of our most valuable assets. A shift in sentiment  
could seriously impact our ability to operate, and  
loss of reputation is one of our key risks.

In 2015 we have strengthened our ability to promote 
and monitor ethics and compliance throughout the 
Group. As part of the Major Simplification Project and 
the consequent reshaping of the business, we replaced 
the existing Ethics & Compliance Committee with  
a formal Committee of the Board. The Committee  
will support the Board and the business in protecting 
and promoting Tullow’s core values, encouraging 
strong ethical behaviour throughout the Company,  
and ensuring that we fully comply with all  
relevant legislation.

During its first year the Committee approved Tullow’s 
revised Code of Ethical Conduct, and comprehensively 
reviewed and challenged our investigation processes, 
and our culture of compliance, with positive results. 

We will not be complacent and look forward to building 
on this progress in 2016. 

Committee’s role 
The Committee exists to support the Board in promoting 
within Tullow, and with people who work with Tullow, the 
importance of ethics and compliance. This is to ensure the 
continued success and business integrity of the business 
and protect value as part of our risk management processes. 
‘Ethics’ means the Tullow values and the culture that exists 
in the business to do things that are morally good and 
ethically sound. ‘Compliance’ means ensuring that we meet 
all the requirements of legislation within the business and 
specifically the UK Bribery Act. The Committee supports and 
reinforces our commitment to being an ethical company and 
to providing extra assurance to our stakeholders that our 
policies and approach are adequate and effective.

Committee’s main responsibilities
The Committee’s responsibilities are to:

•  Advise the Board on the development of strategy and 

policies on ethical and compliance matters;

•  Keep under review key ethical and compliance risks and 

monitor the effectiveness of respective mitigation 
activities and controls;

•  Evaluate the ethical and compliance aspects of Tullow’s 

culture and make recommendations to rectify any 
deficiencies identified, with an emphasis on the example 
set by management and the senior leadership team;

•  Oversee development and monitor implementation  
and effectiveness of the Code and other policies  
and standards in relation to ethics and compliance;

•  Make recommendations to the Board on approval  
of amendments to the Code and other policies  
and standards mentioned above; 

•  Receive reports and review findings of significant 
internal and external investigations, audits and  
reviews regarding ethics and compliance policies  
and procedures; 

•  Liaise with and report to the Audit Committee on 
relevant standards and procedures, the adequacy  
of systems to raise concerns and any significant  
fraud or error reported to the Committee; and

Ann Grant 
Chair of the Ethics & Compliance Committee

•  Review compliance performance across the Group 

based on monitoring, auditing and investigations data. 

9 February 2016

88 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

The Committee’s terms of reference will be reviewed 
annually and can be accessed on the corporate website. 

The Committee currently comprises two non-executive 
Directors, Ann Grant and Steve Lucas, and one Executive 
Director – Ian Springett, who now has executive 
responsibility for Ethics & Compliance across the Group.  
Ann Grant is Chair of the Committee and chaired all 
meetings throughout the year. 

In addition to the core Committee members, the Chairman and 
functional heads from across the Group attended the meetings 
to contribute to specific agenda items and discussions. Regular 
visiting attendees in 2015 included management team 
members from Ethics & Compliance, Legal, Organisation 
Strategy & Effectiveness and Internal Audit. 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE2015 ETHICS & COMPLIANCE 
COMMITTEE HIGHLIGHTS
•  New structure and reporting lines

•  Formation of Ethics & Compliance  

Board Committee

•  New and improved Code of Ethical Conduct

•  Oversight of internal investigations and  

their closure

Ethics & Compliance Committee membership

Committee member 
Ann Grant (Chair)
Steve Lucas
Ian Springett

Meetings (out 
of a total 
possible)
3/3
3/3
3/3

Additional attendees who provide support and input to 
the Committee process include: the Chairman; Group 
Ethics & Compliance Manager; General Counsel; VP 
Organisation Strategy & Effectiveness; and Group 
Internal Audit Manager.

Committee activities during 2015
The Committee was briefed on and oversaw Ethics & 
Compliance initiatives across the Group during the year 
which included:

•  Increasing the profile of the Ethics & Compliance 

function with the Board and Executive; 

•  Reviewing how Tullow leaders manage Ethics & 

Compliance within their Business Units and functions  
to improve compliance processes and to reflect best 
practice and lessons learnt from internal investigations;

•  Updating a number of standards, policies and 

procedures including those pertinent to expenditure 
related to public officials; 

•  Greater oversight and scrutiny of consultants who  

are Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs);

•  Considering Tullow’s ethics and compliance culture  
and its ‘Tone from the Top’ through monitoring our 
assurance processes, reviewing the whistle-blowing 
statistics and the outcomes of related investigations;

•  Reviewing, providing feedback and ultimately approving 

the revised Code of Ethical Conduct; and

•  Monitoring the response to internal investigations, 
looking for trends in the findings, identifying any 
systemic issues and highlighting lessons learned. 

Looking forward to 2016
•  Supporting the Ethics & Compliance Team in 

communicating and embedding the revised Ethics & 
Compliance strategy, including the new Business 
Integrity approach;

•  Developing a process to review and assure the 

effectiveness of Tullow culture; and

•  Reporting to the Board on Ethics & Compliance  

matters by using revised reporting tools.

www.tullowoil.com 

89

2 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT

ANNUAL STATEMENT  
ON REMUNERATION

The Remuneration Committee is focused on ensuring Executive Directors  
are rewarded for long-term performance rather than short-term returns.

Summary of major decisions made in 2015
The Committee has continued to operate the approved 
shareholder policy during 2015 and will continue to do  
so during 2016. As such, the major work of the Committee 
this year involved the monitoring of the 2015 performance 
targets (KPIs) for the TIP and the setting of new performance 
targets for 2016. 

Performance and reward for 2015
At the start of 2015, Executive Director base salaries  
were frozen for the second consecutive year to reflect  
the streamlining and refocusing of the business and the 
ongoing challenging nature of the oil and gas industry. 

The performance targets set for 2015 in respect of the TIP 
awards to be granted in 2016 were challenging in the context 
of the time and proved even more so as the year progressed.

It is disappointing to report a nil contribution for the TSR 
measure, which made up 50 per cent of the scorecard. 
However, the Group scored well on its financial, production, 
organisational and strategic targets for 2015, and the 
Committee is particularly pleased with the progress of the 
TEN Project with first oil due, as planned, during 2016. The 
net result of these various factors produced an overall KPI 
performance of 37.7 per cent, resulting in a cash bonus of 94 
per cent of salary and a further 94 per cent of salary awarded 
in shares deferred for five years. Full details of performance 
against the KPIs is shown on pages 100 and 101.

The 2013 PSP Awards were based on relative TSR 
performance over the three years ended 31 December  
2015 and did not vest in 2016 as a result of Tullow’s  
below-threshold TSR against the competitor groups  
over the performance period.

Executive Director Remuneration Policy for 2016
In determining base salary levels and TIP performance 
targets for 2016, the Committee wanted to recognise the 
ongoing challenging environment of the oil and gas sector, 
our business strategy and the ongoing need to streamline 
and refocus the business. We also wanted to recognise  
and reward the talent and continued commitment of  
the Executive team, albeit in light of market conditions. 

DEAR SHAREHOLDER
On behalf of the Board, I am presenting the Remuneration 
Committee’s (‘Committee’) report for 2015 on Directors’ 
remuneration. The report is again split into three  
main sections:

•  This Annual Statement, which provides a summary of 
the year under review and the Committee’s intentions 
going forward;

•  The Directors’ Remuneration Policy Report, which  

sets out the three-year Directors’ remuneration policy 
for the Company which commenced 1 January 2014  
and became formally effective from the 2014 AGM. 
While disclosure of this part of the report is not  
required this year, this section has been included  
again in line with best practice; and

•  The Annual Report on Remuneration, which provides 

details of the remuneration earned by Directors in the 
year ended 31 December 2015 and how the policy will 
be operated in 2016.

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Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEOur conclusion from these discussions has led to a freeze in 
base salary and fixed pay for the third year running and a set 
of KPI targets which include TSR performance (50 per cent), 
strong production of Jubilee, and the final delivery of the  
TEN Project.

Stretching financial metrics, a strong balance sheet and 
operational and organisation targets are also included  
in the 2016 scorecard as well as measures to deliver on  
the longer-term growth strategy of the Company. Details of 
the actual targets are currently commercially sensitive and 
will therefore be fully disclosed in the 2016 Annual Report. 
Finally, in line with the pay freeze, the Committee has again, 
for the second consecutive year, agreed with the Executive 
Directors to reduce the maximum award available under  
the TIP in 2016 from 600 per cent to 500 per cent of salary.

During 2016, the Committee intends to conduct a major 
review of all aspects of remuneration, in particular the 
design and operation of the TIP, prior to the submission  
of our policy to shareholders at the 2017 AGM. 

Shareholder dialogue
The Committee encourages dialogue with the Company’s 
shareholders and will consult major shareholders ahead  
of any significant future changes to policy for 2017 onwards. 

On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank 
shareholders for their significant vote approving the 2014 
Annual Statement and Annual Report on Remuneration  
at the last AGM and for their continued support.

If you have any comments or questions on any element of the 
report, please email me at remunerationchair@tullowoil.com.

.

Jeremy Wilson 
Chairman of the Remuneration Committee

COMPONENTS OF REMUNERATION

Fixed pay

BASE SALARY

PENSION & BENEFITS

Pension
Benefits
Medical Insurance 
Permanent Health Insurance  
Life Assurance

Performance  
related

TULLOW INCENTIVE PLAN

Annual award of cash (up to 100% of salary)

Balance awarded in shares (up to 500% salary)

TOTAL REMUNERATION

Glossary

AGM  Annual General Meeting

Capex  Capital expenditure

DSBP  Deferred Share Bonus Plan

EHS 

Environment, Health & Safety

ESOS  2000 Executive Share Option Scheme

HMRC  Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs 

Opex  Operating expenses

PSP 

Performance Share Plan

SIP 

UK Share Incentive Plan

TIP 

Tullow Incentive Plan

TSR 

Total Shareholder Return

www.tullowoil.com 

91

2 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Preparation of this report
This report has been prepared in accordance with the 
requirements of the Companies Act 2006, the Large and 
Medium-Sized Companies and Groups (Accounts & Reports) 
(Amendment) Regulations 2013, which came into force  
on 1 October 2013 and which set out the new reporting 
requirements in respect of Directors’ remuneration and the 
Listing Rules. The legislation requires the external auditors 
to state whether, in their opinion, the parts of the report  
that are subject to audit have been properly prepared in 
accordance with the relevant legislation and these parts  
have been highlighted.

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION POLICY 
REPORT (VOLUNTARY DISCLOSURE)
Although Tullow is not technically required to disclose  
the Remuneration Policy Report this year, this part of the 
remuneration report, which has been included again in line 
with best practice, sets out the remuneration policy for the 
Company which commenced 1 January 2014 and became 
formally effective following approval from shareholders 
through a binding vote at the 2014 AGM. This section also 
explains how the remuneration policy will be operated  
during 2016.

Policy overview
The principles of the Committee are to ensure that 
remuneration is linked to Tullow’s strategy and promotes  
the attraction, motivation and retention of the highest quality 
executives who are key to delivering sustainable long-term 
value growth and substantial returns to shareholders.

Consideration of shareholders’ views
The Committee considers shareholder feedback received  
at the AGM each year and, more generally, guidance from 
shareholder representative bodies. This feedback, plus any 
additional feedback received during any meetings from time 
to time, is considered as part of the Company’s annual 
review of remuneration policy.

Employment conditions elsewhere in the Group
In setting the remuneration policy and remuneration levels 
for Executive Directors, the Committee is cognisant of the 
approach to rewarding employees in the Group and levels of 
pay increases generally. The Committee does not formally 
consult directly with employees on the executive pay policy, 
but it does receive regular updates from Claire Hawkings, 
Vice President, Organisational Strategy & Effectiveness  
(‘VP – OS&E’).

The following differences exist between the Company’s policy 
for the remuneration of Executive Directors, as detailed in 
the summary table overleaf, and its approach to the payment 
of employees generally:

•  Benefits offered to other employees generally include a 
performance bonus award of up to 35 per cent of salary;

•  Pension provision of a payment of 10 per cent of salary 
into our Company defined contribution plan; increasing 
to 15 per cent of salary for employees over 50; and

•  Participation in the TIP is limited to the Executive 

Directors and Senior Management according to their 
role and responsibility. Other employees are eligible  
to participate in the Company’s below Board share-
based plans.

In general, these differences exist to ensure that 
remuneration arrangements are market-competitive  
for all levels of role in the Company. Whilst there is a 
performance link to remuneration for all employees,  
in the case of the Executive Directors and Senior 
Management, a greater emphasis tends to be placed  
on variable pay given their general opportunity to impact 
directly upon Company performance.

Summary Directors’ remuneration policy
The table on pages 94 and 95 sets out a summary of each 
element of the Directors’ remuneration packages, their link 
to the Company’s strategy, the policy for how these are 
operated, the maximum opportunity and the performance 
framework. Although not part of the Remuneration Policy 
Report, the column to the right of the table also sets out  
how the Committee intends to apply the policy for 2016.

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Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEOperation of share plans
The Committee will operate the TIP (and legacy plans) 
according to their respective rules and in accordance  
with the Listing Rules and HMRC rules where relevant.

The Committee, consistent with market practice, retains 
discretion over a number of areas relating to the operation 
and administration of the plans in relation to Senior 
Management, including Executive Directors. These include 
(but are not limited to) the following (albeit with the level  
of award restricted as set out in the policy table overleaf):

•  Who participates;

•  The timing of grant of awards and/or payment;

•  The size of awards and/or payment;

•  Discretion relating to the measurement of performance 
in the event of a change of control or reconstruction;

•  Determination of a good leaver (in addition to any 
specified categories) for incentive plan purposes  
and a good leaver’s treatment;

•  Adjustments to awards required in certain 

circumstances (e.g. rights issues, corporate 
restructuring and special dividends); and

•  The ability to adjust existing performance conditions  
for exceptional events so that they can still fulfil their 
original purpose.

The choice of the performance metrics applicable to the TIP, 
which are set by the Committee at the start of the relevant 
financial year, reflects the Committee’s belief that any 
incentive compensation should be appropriately challenging 
and tied to the delivery of stretching financial, operational 
and TSR related objectives, explicitly linked to the 
achievement of Tullow’s long-term strategy.

As a result of the switch from: (i) a three-year PSP vesting 
period to a five-year TIP vesting period, and (ii) pre-vesting 
performance conditions to pre-grant performance 
conditions, the following transitional arrangements  
applied in the early years of the TIP’s operation:

•  To cover the gap between 2016 (when the 2013 PSP 

awards (the final set of awards under this plan) vest) 
and 2019 (when the Deferred TIP Shares granted in  
2014 in relation to 2013 would otherwise normally vest), 
instead of vesting over five years the Deferred TIP 
Shares granted in 2014 will vest 50 per cent after three 
years (i.e. 2017) and 50 per cent after four years (i.e. 
2018) and the Deferred TIP Shares granted in 2015 will 
vest 50 per cent after four years (i.e. 2019) and 50 per 
cent after five years (i.e. 2020). Deferred TIP Shares 
granted in 2016 in relation to the performance period 
ending 31 December 2015 and subsequent Deferred TIP 
Share grants will vest after five years from grant; and

•  To reduce the impact of overlapping performance 

periods, the TSR performance period for TIP Awards 
made in 2014 was measured over the 2013 financial 
year, the performance period for TIP Awards granted  
in 2015 was measured over 2013-14 financial years  
and the 2016 Awards will be measured over the 2014-15 
financial years (operating a three-year TSR performance 
period for early TIP Awards would create an overlap with 
past PSP awards). TSR, in relation to the 2017 TIP 
Award, will be based on a three-year performance 
period ending with the financial year ending 
immediately prior to grant.

In addition to the TIP, Executive Directors are also eligible  
to participate in the UK SIP on the same terms as other 
employees. All employee share plans do not operate 
performance conditions.

Legacy remuneration
For the avoidance of doubt, in approving this Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy, authority was given to the Company  
to honour any commitments entered into with current or 
former Directors that have been disclosed to shareholders  
in previous remuneration reports. Details of any payments  
to former Directors will be set out in the Annual Report  
on Remuneration as they arise.

www.tullowoil.com 

93

2 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Summary Directors’ remuneration policy

Purpose and link  
to strategy

Operation

Base salary

To provide an appropriate 
level of fixed cash income 
to attract and retain 
individuals with the 
personal attributes, skills 
and experience required  
to deliver our strategy.

Generally reviewed annually with increases 
normally effective from 1 January. Base 
salaries will be set by the Committee  
taking into account the:

•  Scale, scope and responsibility  

of the role;

•  Skills and experience of the individual;

•  Retention risk;

•  Base salary of other employees; and

•  Base salary of individuals undertaking 

similar roles in companies of comparable 
size and complexity.

Pension and 
benefits

To attract and retain 
individuals with the 
personal attributes, skills 
and experience required  
to deliver our strategy.

Defined contribution pension scheme or 
salary supplement contribution to personal 
pension plan. Medical insurance, permanent 
health insurance and life assurance.

May participate in the UK SIP.

Maximum opportunity

Any increases to current Executive 
Director salaries, presented in the 
application of policy in 2016 column to the 
right of this policy table, will not normally 
exceed the average increase awarded to 
other UK-based employees. Increases 
may be above this level in certain 
circumstances, for instance if there  
is an increase in the scale, scope or 
responsibility of the role or to allow the 
base salary of newly appointed executives 
to move towards market norms as their 
experience and contribution increase.

Pension: 25% of base salary.

Benefits: The range of benefits that may 
be provided is set by the Committee after 
taking into account local market practice 
in the country where the executive is 
based. Additional benefits may be 
provided, as appropriate.

SIP: Up to HM Revenue & Customs 
(HMRC) limits, currently £150 per month.

Tullow 
Incentive 
Plan (TIP)

Minimum 
shareholding
requirement

Non-executive 
Directors

To provide a simple, 
competitive, performance- 
linked incentive plan that:

•  Will attract, retain and 
motivate individuals 
with the required 
personal attributes, 
skills and experience;

•  Provides a real 

incentive to achieve  
our strategic 
objectives; and

•  Aligns the interests  
of management and 
shareholders.

To align the interests  
of management and 
shareholders and promote 
a long-term approach  
to performance and  
risk management.

To provide an appropriate 
fee level to attract 
individuals with the 
necessary experience  
and ability to make a 
significant contribution 
to the Group’s activities 
while also reflecting the 
time commitment and 
responsibility of the role.

94 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Annual award of cash (up to 100% of salary) 
and deferred shares (up to 500% of salary).

The maximum annual level of award is 
600% of salary for Executive Directors.

Awards under the TIP (which are non- 
pensionable) will be made in line with  
the Committee’s assessment of the 
performance targets.

Deferred shares normally vest after five  
years from grant, normally subject to 
continued service.

Dividend equivalents will accrue on 
Deferred TIP Shares over the vesting 
period, to the extent awards vest.

Executive Directors are required to retain at 
least 50% of post-tax share awards until a 
minimum shareholding equivalent to 400% of 
salary is achieved (increasing to 600% of 
salary from the date the first TIP Awards vest).

The Chairman is paid an annual fee and the 
non-executive Directors are paid a base fee 
and additional responsibility fees for the role 
of Senior Independent Director or for chairing 
a Board Committee.

Fees are set by the Remuneration Committee 
and are normally reviewed annually.

Each non-executive Director is also entitled  
to a reimbursement of necessary travel and 
other expenses.

Non-executive Directors do not participate  
in any share scheme or annual bonus  
scheme and are not eligible to join the  
Group’s pension schemes.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

No change.

There is no maximum prescribed fee 
increase although fee increases for 
non-executive Directors will not normally 
exceed the average increase awarded to 
Executive Directors. Increases may be 
above this level if there is an increase  
in the scale, scope or responsibility of  
the role.

 Not applicable.

Current non-executive Director fees:

Chairman

Non-executive base fee

Senior Independent Director

Audit Committee Chair

Remuneration Committee Chair

EHS Committee Chair

Ethics & Compliance Committee Chair

No changes for 2016.

2016

£310,500

£69,500

£15,000

£20,000

£20,000

£15,000

£5,000

Framework used to assess performance and provisions for the recovery  

of sums paid/payable

Not applicable.

Application of policy in 2016  

(Not part of the Policy Report)

Current Executive Director base salaries:

Aidan Heavey

Graham Martin

Angus McCoss

Paul McDade

Ian Springett

No changes for 2016.

2016

£886,074

£501,106

£501,106

£501,106

£532,073

Not applicable.

No change.

A balanced scorecard of financial and operational objectives, linked to the 

The Committee has again reduced the maximum  

achievement of Tullow’s long-term strategy. Specific targets will vary from year 

TIP award for 2016 from 600% to 500% of salary. The 

to year in accordance with strategic priorities but may include targets relating 

balanced score card in 2016 will consist of stretching 

to: relative or absolute Total Shareholder Return (TSR); earnings per share 

targets as follows:

(EPS); EHS; financial; production; operations; projects; exploration; or specific 

strategic objectives.

•  50% based on relative TSR against a basket of oil 

and gas exploration companies with a threshold  

Performance will typically be measured over one year, apart from TSR and EPS, 

of median performance and a maximum of  

if adopted, which will normally be measured over three years (although see 

upper quintile;

‘Operation of share plans’ in respect of transitional arrangements).

Non-TSR targets will normally be based on a sliding scale from 20%  

at threshold performance to 100% at maximum.

The Committee reserves the right to exercise discretion in the event of 

unforeseen positive or negative developments during the course of the year.

targets; and

The Committee retains discretion to apply malus and clawback to the cash and 

deferred shares elements of the TIP during the five-year vesting period in the 

event of a material adverse restatement of the financial accounts or reserves  

or a catastrophic failure of operational, EHS risk management.

•  15% based on strategic financing targets;

•  15% based on operational and safety targets;

•  15% based on business development and growth 

•  5% based on organisation targets.

Details of actual performance will be given 

retrospectively in the 2016 Annual Report.

Details of the 2016 strategic objectives are on  

page 100 of the Annual Report on Remuneration.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCESummary Directors’ remuneration policy

Purpose and link  

to strategy

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Framework used to assess performance and provisions for the recovery  
of sums paid/payable

Application of policy in 2016  
(Not part of the Policy Report)

Base salary

To provide an appropriate 

Generally reviewed annually with increases 

Any increases to current Executive 

level of fixed cash income 

normally effective from 1 January. Base 

Director salaries, presented in the 

Not applicable.

Current Executive Director base salaries:

Aidan Heavey
Graham Martin
Angus McCoss
Paul McDade

Ian Springett

No changes for 2016.

2016

£886,074
£501,106
£501,106
£501,106

£532,073

Defined contribution pension scheme or 

Pension: 25% of base salary.

Not applicable.

No change.

A balanced scorecard of financial and operational objectives, linked to the 
achievement of Tullow’s long-term strategy. Specific targets will vary from year 
to year in accordance with strategic priorities but may include targets relating 
to: relative or absolute Total Shareholder Return (TSR); earnings per share 
(EPS); EHS; financial; production; operations; projects; exploration; or specific 
strategic objectives.

Performance will typically be measured over one year, apart from TSR and EPS, 
if adopted, which will normally be measured over three years (although see 
‘Operation of share plans’ in respect of transitional arrangements).

Non-TSR targets will normally be based on a sliding scale from 20%  
at threshold performance to 100% at maximum.

The Committee reserves the right to exercise discretion in the event of 
unforeseen positive or negative developments during the course of the year.

The Committee retains discretion to apply malus and clawback to the cash and 
deferred shares elements of the TIP during the five-year vesting period in the 
event of a material adverse restatement of the financial accounts or reserves  
or a catastrophic failure of operational, EHS risk management.

The Committee has again reduced the maximum  
TIP award for 2016 from 600% to 500% of salary. The 
balanced score card in 2016 will consist of stretching 
targets as follows:

•  50% based on relative TSR against a basket of oil 
and gas exploration companies with a threshold  
of median performance and a maximum of  
upper quintile;

•  15% based on strategic financing targets;

•  15% based on operational and safety targets;

•  15% based on business development and growth 

targets; and

•  5% based on organisation targets.

Details of actual performance will be given 
retrospectively in the 2016 Annual Report.

Details of the 2016 strategic objectives are on  
page 100 of the Annual Report on Remuneration.

Not applicable.

No change.

To provide an appropriate 

The Chairman is paid an annual fee and the 

There is no maximum prescribed fee 

 Not applicable.

Current non-executive Director fees:

Chairman
Non-executive base fee
Senior Independent Director
Audit Committee Chair
Remuneration Committee Chair
EHS Committee Chair
Ethics & Compliance Committee Chair

No changes for 2016.

2016

£310,500
£69,500
£15,000
£20,000
£20,000
£15,000
£5,000

www.tullowoil.com 

95

to attract and retain 

individuals with the 

personal attributes, skills 

and experience required  

to deliver our strategy.

salaries will be set by the Committee  

taking into account the:

•  Scale, scope and responsibility  

of the role;

•  Skills and experience of the individual;

•  Retention risk;

•  Base salary of other employees; and

•  Base salary of individuals undertaking 

similar roles in companies of comparable 

size and complexity.

Pension and 

benefits

To attract and retain 

individuals with the 

salary supplement contribution to personal 

personal attributes, skills 

pension plan. Medical insurance, permanent 

and experience required  

health insurance and life assurance.

to deliver our strategy.

May participate in the UK SIP.

application of policy in 2016 column to the 

right of this policy table, will not normally 

exceed the average increase awarded to 

other UK-based employees. Increases 

may be above this level in certain 

circumstances, for instance if there  

is an increase in the scale, scope or 

responsibility of the role or to allow the 

base salary of newly appointed executives 

to move towards market norms as their 

experience and contribution increase.

Benefits: The range of benefits that may 

be provided is set by the Committee after 

taking into account local market practice 

in the country where the executive is 

based. Additional benefits may be 

provided, as appropriate.

SIP: Up to HM Revenue & Customs 

(HMRC) limits, currently £150 per month.

Dividend equivalents will accrue on 

Deferred TIP Shares over the vesting 

period, to the extent awards vest.

Tullow 

Incentive 

Plan (TIP)

To provide a simple, 

Annual award of cash (up to 100% of salary) 

The maximum annual level of award is 

and deferred shares (up to 500% of salary).

600% of salary for Executive Directors.

Awards under the TIP (which are non- 

pensionable) will be made in line with  

the Committee’s assessment of the 

performance targets.

Deferred shares normally vest after five  

years from grant, normally subject to 

continued service.

competitive, performance- 

linked incentive plan that:

•  Will attract, retain and 

motivate individuals 

with the required 

personal attributes, 

skills and experience;

•  Provides a real 

incentive to achieve  

our strategic 

objectives; and

•  Aligns the interests  

of management and 

shareholders.

To align the interests  

of management and 

Executive Directors are required to retain at 

Not applicable.

least 50% of post-tax share awards until a 

shareholders and promote 

minimum shareholding equivalent to 400% of 

a long-term approach  

salary is achieved (increasing to 600% of 

salary from the date the first TIP Awards vest).

to performance and  

risk management.

Minimum 

shareholding

requirement

Non-executive 

Directors

fee level to attract 

individuals with the 

necessary experience  

and ability to make a 

significant contribution 

to the Group’s activities 

while also reflecting the 

time commitment and 

responsibility of the role.

non-executive Directors are paid a base fee 

increase although fee increases for 

and additional responsibility fees for the role 

non-executive Directors will not normally 

of Senior Independent Director or for chairing 

exceed the average increase awarded to 

Executive Directors. Increases may be 

above this level if there is an increase  

in the scale, scope or responsibility of  

the role.

a Board Committee.

Fees are set by the Remuneration Committee 

and are normally reviewed annually.

Each non-executive Director is also entitled  

to a reimbursement of necessary travel and 

other expenses.

Non-executive Directors do not participate  

in any share scheme or annual bonus  

scheme and are not eligible to join the  

Group’s pension schemes.

2 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Remuneration scenarios for Executive Directors
The charts below show how the composition of the Executive 
Directors’ remuneration packages varies at different levels of 
performance under the remuneration policy, as a percentage 
of total remuneration opportunity and as a total value: 

1,633

219
281

650

650

Fixed pay

Aidan 
Heavey

Target

Maximum

Fixed pay

Ian 
Springett

Target

750

Maximum

Fixed pay

Graham 
Martin

Target

Angus 
McCoss

Maximum

Fixed pay

Target

Maximum

Fixed pay

Paul 
McDade

Target

Maximum

£m

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

∙ Fixed pay  ∙ TIP (cash)  ∙ TIP (deferred shares)

Notes
1. Base salaries are those effective 1 January 2016  

(unchanged from 1 January 2015).

2. Pensions are based on a 25% employer contribution.
3. The target TIP award is taken to be 50% of the maximum annual 
opportunity for 2016 (250% of salary) for all Executive Directors.

4. The maximum value of the TIP is taken to be 500% of salary  

(i.e. the maximum annual opportunity) for 2016.
5. No share price appreciation has been assumed.

Service agreements
Each Executive Director entered into a new service 
agreement with Tullow Group Services Limited effective  
1 January 2014. Each service agreement sets out restrictions 
on the ability of the Director to participate in businesses 
competing with those of the Group or to entice or solicit away 
from the Group any senior employees in the six months after 
ceasing employment. The above reflects the Committee’s 
policy that service contracts should be structured to reflect 
the interests of the Group and the individuals concerned, 
while also taking due account of market and best practice.

The term of each service contract is not fixed. Each 
agreement is terminable by the Director on six months’ 
notice and by the employing company on 12 months’ notice.

External appointments
The Board has not introduced a formal policy in relation  
to the number of external directorships that an Executive 
Director may hold. Currently, the only Executive Director  
who holds a reportable external directorship is Angus 
McCoss. Angus has been nominated by Tullow as its 
representative on the board of Ikon Science Limited, a 
company in which Tullow has a small equity stake. Any  
fees payable for his services have been waived by Tullow. 

Policy for new appointments
Base salary levels will take into account market data  
for the relevant role, internal relativities, the individual’s 
experience and their current base salary. Where an  
individual is recruited at below market norms, they  
may be re-aligned over time (e.g. two to three years),  
subject to performance in the role. Benefits will  
generally be in accordance with the approved policy.

Individuals will participate in the TIP up to the normal annual 
limit subject to: (i) award levels in the year of appointment 
being pro-rated to reflect the proportion of the financial  
year worked; and (ii) where a performance metric is 
measured over more than one year, the proportion of  
awards based on that metric will normally be reduced to 
reflect the proportion of the performance period worked.  
The Committee may consider buying out incentive awards 
which an individual would forfeit upon leaving their current 
employer although any compensation would, where possible, 
be consistent with respect to currency (i.e. cash for cash, 
equity for equity), vesting periods (i.e. there would be no 
acceleration of payments), expected values and the use  
of performance targets. 

96 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEThe Committee’s policy in respect of the treatment of Executive Directors leaving Tullow following the introduction of the  
TIP is described below:

Cessation of employment due to death, injury, disability, retirement, redundancy, the 
participant’s employing company or business for which they work being sold out of the 
Company’s group or in other circumstances at the discretion of the Committee

Cessation of employment 
due to other reasons
(e.g. termination for cause)

TIP
(Cash)

Cessation during a financial year, or after the year but prior to the normal TIP 
award date, will result in only the cash part of the TIP being paid (and pro-rated 
for the proportion of the year worked). There would be no entitlement to Deferred 
TIP Shares that would have been granted following the date of cessation.

No entitlement to any TIP 
cash award following the 
date notice is served.

TIP  
(Deferred Shares)

Unvested Deferred TIP Shares normally vest at the normal time (except on death 
or retirement – see below) unless the Committee determines they should vest  
at cessation.

Unvested Deferred  
TIP Shares lapse.

On death, Deferred Shares normally vest unless the Committee determines  
that they should vest at the normal vesting date.

On retirement (as evidenced to the satisfaction of the Committee), Deferred TIP 
Shares will vest at the earlier of the normal vesting date and three years from 
retirement unless the Committee determines they should vest at cessation.

For an internal Executive Director appointment, any variable 
pay element awarded in respect of the prior role may be 
allowed to pay out according to its terms, adjusted as 
relevant to take account of the appointment. In addition,  
any other ongoing remuneration obligations existing prior  
to appointment may continue. For external and internal 
appointments, the Committee may agree that the Company 
will meet certain relocation and/or incidental expenses  
as appropriate.

Any unvested awards held under the Tullow Oil 2005 PSP 
(the last awards were granted to Executive Directors in 2013) 
will lapse at cessation unless the individual is a good leaver 
(defined as per the DSBP). For a good leaver, unvested 
awards will normally vest at the normal vesting date (unless 
the Committee decides they should vest at cessation) subject 
to performance conditions and time pro-rating (unless the 
Committee decides that the application of time pro-rating  
is inappropriate).

Fee levels for non-executive Director appointments will  
take into account the expected time commitment of the  
role and the current fee structure in place at that time.

Policy for loss of office
Executive Directors’ service contracts are terminable by the 
Director on six months’ notice and by the relevant employing 
company on 12 months’ notice. There are no specific 
provisions under which Executive Directors are entitled  
to receive compensation upon early termination, other  
than in accordance with the notice period.

On termination of an Executive Director’s service contract, 
the Committee will take into account the departing Director’s 
duty to mitigate his loss when determining the amount of  
any compensation. Disbursements such as legal and 
outplacement costs and incidental expenses may be  
payable where appropriate.

Any unvested awards held under the Tullow Oil 2005 DSBP 
(the last awards were granted to Executive Directors in 2013) 
will lapse at cessation unless the individual is a good leaver 
(defined under the plan as death, injury or disability, 
redundancy, retirement, his office or employment being 
either a company which ceases to be a Group member  
or relating to a business or part of a business which is 
transferred to a person who is not a Group member or  
any other reason the Committee so decides). For a good 
leaver, unvested awards will normally vest at cessation 
(unless the Committee decides they should vest at the 
normal vesting date).

Non-executive Director terms of appointment

Non-executive 
Director
Simon 
Thompson
Tutu Agyare

Mike Daly
Anne 
Drinkwater
Ann Grant 
Steve Lucas
Jeremy 
Wilson

Year 
appointed 
Director

Number of 
complete 
years on 
the Board

Date current 
engagement 
commenced

Expiry of 
current term

2011
2010

2014

2012
2008
2012

2013

4
5

1

3
7
3

2

01.01.15
25.08.13

31.12.17
24.08.16

01.06.14

31.05.17

10.02.15
15.05.14
14.03.15

09.02.18
30.04.17
13.03.18

21.10.13

20.10.16

In each case, the appointment is renewable thereafter if 
agreed by the Director and the Board. The appointment  
of any non-executive Director may be terminated by either 
party on three months’ notice (six months for Simon 
Thompson). There are no arrangements under which  
any non-executive Director is entitled to receive 
compensation upon the early termination of  
his or her appointment.

www.tullowoil.com 

97

2 
 
REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Committee’s advisers
The Committee invites individuals to attend meetings  
to provide advice so as to ensure that the Committee’s 
decisions are informed and take account of pay and 
conditions in the Group as a whole. Sources of  
advice include:

•  Ian Springett, Chief Financial Officer;

•  Claire Hawkings, VP – OS&E; and

•  New Bridge Street (part of Aon plc) which continued to 
advise the Committee during 2015. During this period, 
Aon plc provided certain insurance and benefits broking 
services to the Company, which the Committee did not 
believe prejudiced New Bridge Street’s position as its 
independent advisers. Fees paid to New Bridge Street 
for 2015 totalled £15,174 (excluding VAT) in respect  
of advice provided to the Remuneration Committee.  
This included the provision of Executive Director  
and non-executive Director benchmarking data, TSR 
calculations and advice with regards to the 2014 DRR. 

The Committee also consults with the Company’s major 
investors and investor representative groups as appropriate. 
No Director takes part in any decision directly affecting his  
or her own remuneration. The Company Chairman also 
absents himself during discussion relating to his own fees.

ANNUAL REPORT ON REMUNERATION
This part of the report provides details of the operation of  
the Remuneration Committee, how the remuneration policy 
was implemented in 2015 (including payment and awards 
in respect of incentive arrangements) and how shareholders 
voted at the 2015 AGM. This part of the report also includes  
a summary of how the policy will be operated for 2016, 
although, for ease of reference, this is presented within  
the Remuneration Policy Report.

Remuneration Committee membership and meetings 
The Committee currently comprises five non-executive 
Directors and is chaired by Jeremy Wilson. The membership 
and attendance of members at Committee meetings held in 
2015 are shown below.

Committee member
Jeremy Wilson (Chair)
Tutu Agyare
Anne Drinkwater
Steve Lucas
Simon Thompson

Meetings attended
4 / 4
3 / 4
4 / 4
4 / 4
4 / 4

Committee’s main responsibilities 
•  Determining and agreeing with the Board the 

remuneration policy for the Chief Executive Officer, 
Chairman, Executive Directors and Senior Executives;

•  Reviewing progress made against performance targets 

and agreeing incentive awards;

•  Reviewing the design of share incentive plans for 

approval by the Board and shareholders and 
determining the policy on annual awards to Executive 
Directors and Senior Executives under existing plans;

•  Within the terms of the agreed policy, determining the 
remainder of the remuneration packages (principally 
comprising salary and pension) for each Executive 
Director and Senior Executive;

•  Monitoring the level and structure of remuneration  

for Senior Management; and

•  Reviewing and noting the remuneration trends across 

the Group.

The Committee’s terms of reference are reviewed annually 
and can be viewed on the Company’s corporate website.

98 

Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 
Directors’ remuneration (audited)
The remuneration of the Directors for the year ended 31 December 2015 payable by Group companies and comparative 
figures for 2014 are shown in the table below: 

Fixed Pay

Salary /fees1 

£

Pensions 
£

886,080
886,080
501,110
501,110
501,110
501,110
501,110
501,110
532,080
532,080
2,921,490
2,921,490

69,500
69,500
69,500
40,542

84,500
84,500
89,500
79,500
89,500
89,500

310,500
310,500
89,500
82,833

221,520
221,520
125,278
125,278
125,278
125,278
125,278
125,278
133,020
133,020
730,374
730,374

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Taxable
Benefits2
£

57,849 
47,926
9,744 
7,001
6,655 
5,204
5,394 
3,937
8,371 
6,331
88,013
70,399

Tullow Incentive Plan

TIP Cash 
£

Deferred TIP

Shares3 

£

835,130
611,395
472,296 
345,766
472,296 
345,766
472,296
345,766
501,485 
367,135
2,753,503
2,015,828

835,130
611,395
472,296
345,766
472,296
345,766
472,296
345,766
501,485 
367,135
2,753,503
2,015,828

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

802,500
756,875
3,723,990
3,678,365 

–
–
730,374
730,374

– 
–
88,013 
70,399

–
–
2,753,503 
2,015,828

–
–
2,753,503
2,015,828

Legacy 
Incentives

PSP 
Awards4 

£

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

Total 
£

2,835,709
2,378,316
1,580,724
1,324,921
1,577,635
1,323,124
 1,576,374
1,321,857
1,676,441
1,405,701
9,246,883
7,753,919

69,500
69,500
69,500
40,542

84,500
84,500
89,500
79,500
89,500
89,500

310,500
310,500
89,500
82,833

802,500 
756,875
10,049,383
8,510,794 

Executive 
Directors
Aidan Heavey

Angus McCoss

2015
2014
Graham Martin 2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014

Paul McDade

Ian Springett

Subtotal

Non-executive Directors
Tutu Agyare

Mike Daly

Anne 
Drinkwater

Ann Grant

Steve Lucas

Simon 
Thompson

Jeremy Wilson

Subtotal

Total

2015
2014
2015
2014

2015
2014
2015
2014
2015
2014

2015
2014
2015
2014

2015
2014
2015
2014

Notes
1. Base salaries of the Executive Directors have been rounded up to the nearest £10 for payment purposes, in line with established policy.
2. Taxable benefits comprise private medical insurance and, in the case of Aidan Heavey, car benefits.
3. These figures represent that part of the TIP award required to be deferred into shares.
4. Relates to the 2013 PSP award which lapses in 2016 as a result of the relative TSR performance conditions not being met.

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REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Material contracts
There have been no other contracts or arrangements during the financial year in which a Director of the Company  
was materially interested and/or which were significant in relation to the Group’s business.

Termination payments (audited)
No Executive Director left in 2015 and therefore no compensation for loss of office was paid. The principles governing 
compensation for loss of office payments are set out on page 97. 

Details of variable pay earned in the year
Determination of 2016 TIP Award based on performance to 31 December 2015 (audited). 

Following the end of the 2015 financial year, the scorecard KPI performance was 37.7 per cent of the maximum and the 
Committee awarded Executive Directors a total TIP award equating to 188.5 per cent of base salary. This will be payable  
50 per cent in cash and 50 per cent in shares deferred for five years (i.e. vesting in 2021). Details of the performance  
targets which operated and performance against those targets are as follows:

Performance metric

Performance target

Operational 
(Production, Opex 
and Net G&A)

TEN Development
(First oil date  
and cost)

20% payable at threshold, increasing to 40% payable at target, 
increasing to 100% payable at stretch

20% payable at threshold, increasing to 40% payable at target, 
increasing to 100% payable at stretch

Safe and sustainable 
operations

Lost time injury (LTIF) frequency and safe and sustainable 
operations scorecard 

Strategic Targets

Three specific strategic targets (see overleaf)

Relative TSR

Total

25% payable at median, increasing to 100% payable at upper 
quintile against a bespoke group of listed exploration and 
production companies measured over two years to  
31 December 2015

% of Award
(% of salary 
maximum)

10%
(50%)

10% 
(50%)

10%
(50%)

20%
(100%)

50%
(250%)

Actual

6.6%1
(33.0%)

7.2%2
(36.0%)

7.3%3
(36.5%)

16.7%4
(84.0%)

0%5
(0%)

100%
(500%)

37.7%6
(188.5%)

1. Production was above the stretch target of 70,987 boepd. The ‘run rate’ to deliver net G&A cost savings was on target. 
2. TEN Development was above target but below stretch target.
3. LTIF target was achieved; Safe and sustainable operations scorecard below stretch target.
4. Details of the assessment against the strategic targets are presented on page 105.
5. The TSR comparator group for the 2016 TIP award was as follows: Afren, Anadarko, Apache, BG Group, Cairn Energy, Canadian Natural 

Resources, Cobalt Energy, Conoco Phillips, Hess, Kosmos Energy, Lundin Petroleum, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy, Oil Search, Ophir Energy, 
Premier Oil, Santos, SOCO International, Talisman Energy and Woodside Petroleum. As per the transitional arrangements set out in the 
Remuneration Policy Report, the performance period for the 2016 TIP award was based on the 24 months ended 31 December 2015. Tullow’s 
TSR of -77.78% was below the median of -38.2%.

6. Due to rounding, column does not add to total.
Note: See KPIs on pages 17 to 21 for more details.

2016 strategic objectives
As mentioned in the summary Directors’ remuneration policy table on page 95, the 2016 strategic objectives are in line  
with strategic priorities and consist of:

•  Ensuring funding capacity in a downside environment and determining a long-term strategic solution to deleverage 

and rebase the balance sheet;

•  Deliver business development and growth targets relating to the TEN and East Africa Projects and exploration 

progress; and

•  Organisation and operational priorities including safety and sustainable operations targets, improved efficiency  

and effectiveness and progression of the diversity agenda. 

100  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEAssessment of 2015 Strategic TIP targets

2015 Strategic TIP targets

Remuneration Committee assessment of performance

Liquidity: Take appropriate steps 
to ensure cost effective and 
sufficient liquidity in 2015.

The March 2015 re-determination accessed $450 million of increased debt capacity, and the strength 
of our producing assets helped to maintain debt capacity despite lower oil prices. An enhanced 
sculpted covenant profile has also been negotiated to ensure sufficient headroom. Net debt at year 
end 2015 was $4.0 billion and headroom and free cash was $1.9 billion, ahead of guidance due to  
a combination of cost savings and deferral of certain capex to 2016. A number of exploration 
farm-outs were concluded during the year, reducing E&A expenditure through carried costs.

East Africa: Deliver East Africa 
exploration campaign, 
demonstrate commercial viability 
of South Lokichar resource base 
and maintain ability to accelerate 
a commercially attractive project 
into 2016.

Nine appraisal wells were drilled in the South Lokichar Basin in Kenya in 2015 and all were largely  
on prognosis, underpinning an estimated gross contingent resource base of 600 mmbo. Extended 
Well Tests displayed good connectivity at Ngamia and Amosing and provided important data for 
development plans. Elsewhere, three potential basin opening exploration wells were drilled in 2015, 
but none made discoveries. In August 2015, the Governments of Kenya and Uganda issued a joint 
statement agreeing the Northern pipeline route would be used to export oil, subject to certain 
conditions. A technical team is working on addressing these conditions to gain unequivocal 
agreement from both governments. A draft field development plan for the discoveries in the  
South Lokichar Basin was submitted in December 2015. In Uganda, historic CGT and VAT issues  
were resolved. 

Major Simplification Project: 
Deliver business restructuring 
and efficient processes focused 
on enhancing value.

The MSP project has successfully adjusted the operating model of the business, clarified key 
accountabilities, improved culture around value creation and performance management, and 
simplified the organisational structure – with further work ongoing to simplify internal processes  
and better manage our cost base ongoing. Headcount has been reduced across the business to  
better reflect Tullow’s activities and scope of operations. The new operating model and 
implementation of an integrated management system has better defined key accountabilities and 
responsibilities. Ongoing performance management reviews have evolved to improve discussions 
around value creation on a more regular basis, with the Group’s ongoing delivery against its key 
objectives regularly communicated to staff. A shift to a more cost-conscious culture has occurred  
as a result of regular expenditure reviews and improved cross business challenge. Engagement with 
the Executive, in-country management and peers has been stepped up to help motivate, engage and 
focus staff on the Group’s targets during this period of change and challenging market conditions.

Vesting of PSP awards (audited)
The PSP awards granted on 22 February 2013 were based on performance to 31 December 2015. As disclosed in previous 
annual reports, the performance condition was as follows:

Metric

Performance Condition

Oil Sector TSR  
70% of Awards

FTSE 100 TSR  
30% of Awards

15% of this part of an award vests at  
Index TSR1, increasing pro-rata to 100%  
of this part of an award vesting for 
outperformance of Index TSR by 20% p.a.

15% of this part of an award vests at  
Index TSR2, increasing pro-rata to 100%  
of this part of an award vesting for 
outperformance of Index TSR by 20% p.a.

Total vesting

0%

Threshold 
Target

Stretch 
Target

Actual

% Vesting

 0% TSR

 20% TSR  -46.6% TSR

0%

 0% TSR

 20% TSR  -46.6% TSR

0%

1. For the Oil Sector element, Index TSR is based on the weighted mean TSR (i.e. each comparator’s TSR is weighted by the comparator’s 
market capitalisation at the start of the performance period, subject to a minimum weighting of 2% and a maximum weighting of 10%  
for any individual company). The constituents of the group were as follows: Afren, Anadarko, Apache, BG Group, Cairn Energy, Canadian 
Natural Resources, Cononco Phillips, EOG Resources, Hess, Lundin Petroleum, Marathon Oil, Noble Energy, Oil Search, Ophir Energy, 
Pioneer Natural Resources, Premier Oil, Santos, SOCO International, Talisman Energy and Woodside Petroleum.

2. For the FTSE 100 element, Index TSR is the median TSR of the individual constituents of the index.

The award details for the Executive Directors are therefore as follows:

Executive
Aidan Heavey
Ian Springett
Other Executive Directors

Type of award
Nil-cost option
Nil-cost option
Nil-cost option

Number of 
shares at grant
300,000
175,000
525,000

Number of 
shares to vest
0
0
0

Number of 
shares to lapse
300,000
175,000
525,000

Total
0
0
0

Estimated  
value (£’000)
0
0
0

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REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

TIP Awards granted in 2015 
The second TIP awards were granted to Executive Directors on 18 February 2015, based on the performance period ended  
31 December 2014, as follows:

Executive
Aidan Heavey
Ian Springett
Other Executive Directors*

* Individual award

Number of TIP 
shares awarded
152,772
91,737
86,398

Face value of
awards at 
grant date
 £611,395
£367,135
£345,766

Normal vesting dates 
(end of exercise 
window)

18.02.2019 – 50% 
18.02.2020 – 50% 
[17.02.2025]

Pre-grant  
performance period

01.01.2014 to 31.12.2014
(TSR 01.01.2013 to 31.12.2014)

UK SIP shares awarded in 2015 (audited)
The UK SIP is a tax-favoured all-employee plan that enables UK employees to save out of pre-tax salary. Quarterly 
contributions are used by the Plan trustee to buy Tullow Oil plc shares (partnership shares). The Group funds an award  
of an equal number of shares (matching shares). The current maximum contribution is £150 per month. Details of shares 
purchased and awarded to Executive Directors under the UK SIP are as follows:

Director
Graham Martin
Angus McCoss
Paul McDade
Ian Springett

Shares held 
01.01.15
8,212
3,242
8,212
1,720

Partnership 
shares acquired 
in year
645
645
645
645

Matching 
shares awarded 
in year
645
645
645
645

Total shares 
held 31.12.15
9,502
4,532
9,502
3,010

SIP shares 
that became 
unrestricted 
in the year
278
278
278
276

Total unrestricted 
shares held at 
31.12.15
7,056
2,086
7,056
562

*  Unrestricted shares (which are included in the total shares held at 31 December 2015) are those which no longer attract a tax liability  

if they are withdrawn from the Plan.

Comparison of overall performance and pay
As a member of both indices in recent times, the Remuneration Committee has chosen to compare the TSR of  
the Company’s ordinary shares against both the FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 indices. 

The values indicated in the graph overleaf show the share price growth plus reinvested dividends over a seven-year period 
from a £100 hypothetical holding of ordinary shares in Tullow Oil plc and in the two indices. The total remuneration figures  
for the Chief Executive during each of the last seven financial years are shown in the table below. The total remuneration 
figure includes the annual bonus based on that year’s performance (2009 to 2012), PSP awards based on three-year 
performance periods ending in the relevant year (2009 to 2015) and the value of TIP awards based on the performance  
period ending in the relevant year (2013 to 2015). The annual bonus payout, PSP vesting level and TIP award, as a  
percentage of the maximum opportunity, are also shown for each of these years.

Total remuneration
Annual bonus (%)
PSP vesting (%)

TIP (%)

2009
£4,516,580
86%
100%

2010
£3,558,698
58%
100%

2011
£4,688,541
80%
100%

2012
£2,623,116
70%
23%

2013
£2,750,273
–
0%

2014
£2,378,316
–
0%

2015
£ 2,835,709
–
0%

–

–

–

–

30%

23%

38%

Year ending in

102  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCECEO – TOTAL PAY VERSUS TSR

TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN

TSR

500

400

300

200

100

0

Total Pay
£’000

14,000

11,200

8,400

5,600

2,800

0

%

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

06

07

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

08

09

10

11

12

13

14

15

TSR

CEO Total Pay

Tullow

FTSE 100

FTSE 250

Percentage change in Chief Executive’s remuneration
The table below shows the percentage change in the Chief Executive’s total remuneration (excluding the value of any pension 
benefits receivable in the year) between the financial year ended 31 December 2014 and 31 December 2015, compared to that 
of the average for all employees of the Group.

Chief Executive
Average Employees

Salary
0%
5.2%

% Change from 2014 to 2015

Benefits
21%
0%

Bonus
37%
5%

Relative importance of spend on pay
The following table shows the Group’s actual spend on pay for all employees relative to dividends, tax and retained profits. 

Staff costs (£’m)
Dividends (£’m)
Tax (£’m)*
Retained profits (£’m)*

2014
279
111
-247
1,484

2015
218
–
-158
860

% change
-21%
-100%
36%
-42%

*  Voluntary disclosure.
The dividend figures relate to amounts payable in respect of the relevant financial year.

Shareholder voting at the last AGM
At last year’s AGM on 30 April 2015 the remuneration-related resolutions received the following votes from shareholders:

For
Against
Total votes cast (for and against)
Votes withheld
Total issued share capital instructed

2014 Annual Statement & Annual Report on Remuneration

Total number of votes
630,764,351
22,532,315
653,296,666
7,175,014
660,471,680

% of votes cast
96%
3.5%
99%
1%
71.7%

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REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Summary of past TIP Awards
Details of nil cost options granted to Executive Directors under the TIP:

Director
Aidan Heavey

Graham Martin

Angus McCoss

Paul McDade

Ian Springett

Award grant 
date
19.02.14
18.02.15

Share price on 
grant date
774p
400p

19.02.14
18.02.15

19.02.14
18.02.15

19.02.14
18.02.15

19.02.14
18.02.15

774p
400p

774p
400p

774p
400p

774p
400p

Granted during 
year
–
152,772

–
86,398

–
86,398

–
86,398

–
91,737

As at 01.01.15
102,992
–
102,992
58,246
–
58,246
58,246
–
58,246
58,246
–
58,246
61,845
–
61,845

As at 31.12.15
102,992
152,772
255,764
58,246
86,398
144,644
58,246
86,398
144,644
58,246
86,398
144,644
61,845
91,737
153,582

Earliest date 
shares can be 
acquired1
19.02.17
18.02.19

Latest date 
shares can be 
acquired
19.02.24
17.02.25

19.02.17
18.02.19

19.02.17
18.02.19

19.02.17
18.02.19

19.02.17
18.02.19

19.02.24
17.02.25

19.02.24
17.02.25

19.02.24
17.02.25

19.02.24
17.02.25

1. 50% of 2014 Award vests 19.02.17 and 50% vests 19.02.18; 50% of 2015 Award vests 18.02.19 and 50% vests 18.02.20.

Summary of past 2005 Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
Details of nil exercise cost option shares granted to Executive Directors for nil consideration under the PSP: 

Director
Aidan 
Heavey

Graham 
Martin

Angus 
McCoss

Paul 
McDade

Ian 
Springett

Award grant 
date

Share price at 
grant (pence)

As at 01.01.15

Exercised 
during year

Lapsed during 
year

As at 31.12.15

22.02.13

1,241

15.05.08
18.03.09
17.03.10
22.02.13

924.5
778
1,281
1,241

22.02.13

1,241

15.05.08
18.03.09
17.03.10
22.02.13

01.09.08
18.03.09
17.03.10
22.02.13

924.5
778
1,281
1,241

791
778
1,281
1,241

300,000
300,000

80,277
98,355
13,972
175,000
367,604

175,000
175,000

80,277
98,355
13,972
175,000
367,604

68,873
104,438
14,836
175,000
363,147

–
–

–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

300,000
300,000

–
–
–
175,000
175,000

175,000
175,000

–
–
–
175,000
175,000

–
–
–
175,000
175,000

–
 –

80,277
98,355
13,972
–
192,604

–
–

80,277
98,355
13,972
–
192,604

68,873
104,438
14,836
–
188,147

Earliest date 
shares can be 
acquired

Latest date 
shares can be 
acquired

22.02.16

21.02.23

15.05.11
18.03.12
17.03.13
22.02.16

14.05.18
17.03.19
16.03.20
21.02.23

22.02.16

21.02.23

15.05.11
18.03.12
17.03.13
22.02.16

01.09.11
18.03.12
17.03.13
22.02.16

14.05.18
17.03.19
16.03.20
22.02.23

31.08.18
17.03.19
16.03.20
21.02.23

104  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEAll of the PSP awards listed on the previous page are based on relative three-year TSR performance and the Committee 
considering that both the Group’s underlying financial performance and its performance against other key factors (e.g.  
Health & Safety) over the relevant period are satisfactory. 50 per cent of awards are/were measured against an international 
oil sector comparator group (see past Remuneration Reports for details of specific companies) and 50 per cent of awards 
are/were measured against the FTSE 100. All outstanding awards under PSP have been granted as, or converted into, nil 
exercise price options. To the extent that they vest, they are normally exercisable from three to 10 years from grant. 

The PSP awards granted in February 2013 reached the end of their performance period on 31 December 2015. As a result  
of the performance conditions not being met the awards have now lapsed.

Summary of past Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DSBP) Awards
Details of nil exercise cost options granted to Executive Directors for nil consideration under the DSBP:

Director 
Aidan Heavey

Graham Martin 

Angus McCoss

Paul McDade 

Ian Springett

Award grant  
date
18.03.11
21.03.12
22.02.13

13.03.08
18.03.09
17.03.10
18.03.11
21.03.12
22.02.13

21.03.12
22.02.13

13.03.08
18.03.09
17.03.10
18.03.11
21.03.12
22.02.13

17.03.10
18.03.11
21.03.12
22.02.13

As at 01.01.15
19,995
45,654
45,649
111,298
16,021
28,374
15,941
11,308
25,819
25,816
123,279
25,819
25,816
51,635

14,686
28,374
15,941
11,308
25,819
25,816
121,944
16,927
12,007
27,415
27,411
83,760

Exercised  
during year
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
25,819
–
25,819

–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

As at 31.12.15
19,995
45,654
45,649
111,298
16,021
28,374
15,941
11,308
25,819
25,816
123,279
–
25,816
25,816

14,686
28,374
15,941
11,308
25,819
25,816
121,944
16,927
12,007
27,415
27,411
83,760

Earliest date  
shares can be 
acquired
01.01.14
01.01.15
01.01.16

Latest date  
shares can be 
acquired
17.03.21
20.03.22
21.02.23

01.01.11
01.01.12
01.01.13
01.01.14
01.01.15
01.01.16

01.01.15
01.01.16

01.01.11
01.01.12
01.01.13
01.01.14
01.01.15
01.01.16

01.01.13
01.01.14
01.01.15
01.01.16

12.03.18
17.03.19
16.03.20
17.03.21
20.03.22
21.02.23

20.03.22
21.02.23

12.03.18
17.03.19
16.03.20
17.03.21
20.03.22
21.02.23

16.03.20
17.03.21
20.03.22
21.02.23

All outstanding awards under the DSBP were granted as, or have been converted into, nil exercise price options. To the extent that they vest, 
they are exercisable from three to 10 years from grant.

The aggregate gain made by Directors on the exercise of nil cost options under the DSBP during the year was £99,332 (gross) (£42,712 for 2014). 
On 11 February 2015, being the date Angus McCoss exercised his options in the table above, the middle market quoted price of a Tullow share 
was £3.85. 

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REMUNERATION REPORT CONTINUED

Share price range
During 2015, the highest mid-market price of the Company’s shares was 429.8p and the lowest was 152.1p. The year-end 
price was 165.7p.

Directors’ interests in the share capital of the Company (Audited)
The interests of the Directors (all of which were beneficial), who held office at 31 December 2015, are set out in the  
table below: 

Ordinary 
shares 
held

TIP 
Awards

PSP 
Awards

DSBP 
Awards

SIP

Total

% of salary 
held under 
Shareholding
 Guidelines*

31.12.14

31.12.15

Unvested

Vested

Unvested

Vested

Unvested

Vested

Restricted

Unrestricted

31.12.15

(400% of salary)

Aidan 
Heavey
Graham 
Martin
Angus 
McCoss
Paul 
McDade
Ian 
Springett
Non-executive 
Directors
Simon 
Thompson
Tutu 
Agyare
Mike Daly
Anne 
Drinkwater
Ann Grant
Steve 
Lucas
Jeremy 
Wilson

6,401,511

2,030,392

247,425

260,801

6,401,511 

255,764

2,030,392

144,644

261,078 

144,644

305,801

144,644

12,000

12,000 

153,582

20,604

27,119

1,940

3,175

7,000

3,171

1,940

3,175 

7,000

3,171

600

600

15,000

15,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

300,000

–

45,649

65,649

–

–

7,068,573

1322%

175,000

192,604

25,816

97,463

2,446

7,056

2,675,421

885%

175,000

–

25,816

–

2,446

2,086

611,070

202%

175,000

192,604

25,816

96,128

2,446

7,056

949,495

314%

175,000

188,147

27,411

56,349

2,448

562

615,499

192%

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

27,119

1,940

3,175

7,000

3,171

600

15,000

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

*  Calculated using share price of 165.7p at year end. Under the Company’s Shareholding Guidelines, each Executive Director is required  
to build up their shareholdings in the Company’s shares to at least 400% of their salary. Further details of the Shareholding Guidelines  
are set out on page 94.

On 8 January 2016 each of Graham Martin, Angus McCoss and Paul McDade were awarded 618 SIP shares and Ian Springett was awarded  
616 SIP shares, all of which are restricted. Accounting for certain restricted SIP shares becoming unrestricted SIP shares in the period  
between 1 January 2016 and the date of this report, Graham Martin accordingly holds 3,006 restricted SIP shares and 7,114 unrestricted  
SIP shares, Angus McCoss holds 3,006 restricted SIP shares and 2,144 unrestricted SIP shares, Paul McDade holds 3,006 restricted SIP  
shares and 7,114 unrestricted SIP shares and Ian Springett holds 3,006 restricted SIP shares and 620 unrestricted SIP shares.

There have been no other changes in the interests of any Director between 1 January 2016 and the date of this report other than  
as a consequence of PSP awards made in 2013 lapsing as mentioned in the notes to the table ‘Directors’ remuneration’ on page 99.

106  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEOTHER STATUTORY INFORMATION

Results and dividends
The loss on ordinary activities after taxation of the Group  
for the year ended 31 December 2015 was $1,036.9 million 
(2014: Loss $1,639.9 million). 

No dividends have been recommended by the Board in  
2015 (2014: Stg 4p). 

Subsequent events
In January 2016 Tullow completed the farm-down of  
25 per cent of its interest in block 12A to Delonex and  
Tullow also agreed to sell a 20 per cent interest in the  
Bannu West licence in Pakistan to Mari Gas. Tullow was 
awarded a 60 per cent operated interest in the Orinduik 
licence in January 2016, a 1,801 square kilometre block 
offshore Guyana. On 23 January 2016, the TEN FPSO set  
sail from Singapore to Ghana with arrival expected in early 
March 2016.

Subsequent to the balance sheet date there has been a 
deterioration in the spot price of Brent crude. Sensitivity 
analysis on the impact of a reduction in Brent crude prices 
on the carrying value of PP&E is provided in note 12.

Share capital
As at 1 February 2016, the Company had an allotted and  
fully paid up share capital of 911,655,547 each with a  
nominal value of £0.10. 

Substantial shareholdings 
As at 9 February 2016, the Company had been notified  
in accordance with the requirements of provision 5.1.2  
of the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Rules  
and Transparency Rules of the following significant  
holdings in the Company’s ordinary share capital:

Shareholder
The Capital Group 
Companies, Inc.
Genesis Asset Managers, LLP
Oppenheimer Funds, Inc.
BlackRock, Inc.
Commonwealth Bank of 
Australia (on behalf of certain 
controlled undertakings)

Number of 
shares

% of issued 
capital

109,187,335
72,871,524
45,191,459
not provided

11.98
8.01
4.96
below 5

28,054,427

3.08

Following requests under section 793 of the Companies Act 
2006, the Company understands that the percentage of its 
issued share capital held by Oppenheimer Funds, Inc. as at 
31 January 2016 was 0%.

Shareholders’ rights
The rights and obligations of shareholders are set out in the 
Company’s Articles of Association (which can be amended  
by special resolution). The rights and obligations attaching  
to the Company’s shares are as follows:

•  Dividend rights – holders of the Company’s shares  
may, by ordinary resolution, declare dividends but  
may not declare dividends in excess of the amount 
recommended by the Directors. The Directors may  
also pay interim dividends. No dividend may be paid 
other than out of profits available for distribution. 
Subject to shareholder approval, payment or 
satisfaction of a dividend may be made wholly  
or partly by distribution of specific assets;

•  Voting rights – voting at any general meeting is by a 
show of hands unless a poll is duly demanded. On a 
show of hands every shareholder who is present in 
person at a general meeting (and every proxy or 
corporate representative appointed by a shareholder 
and present at a general meeting) has one vote 
regardless of the number of shares held by the 
shareholder (or represented by the proxy or corporate 
representative). If a proxy has been appointed by more 
than one shareholder and has been instructed by one or 
more of those shareholders to vote ‘for’ the resolution 
and by one or more of those shareholders to vote 
‘against’ a particular resolution, the proxy shall have 
one vote for and one vote against that resolution. On a 
poll, every shareholder who is present in person has 
one vote for every share held by that shareholder and a 
proxy has one vote for every share in respect of which 
he has been appointed as proxy (the deadline for 
exercising voting rights by proxy is set out in the form of 
proxy). On a poll, a corporate representative may 
exercise all the powers of the company that has 
authorised him. A poll may be demanded by any of the 
following: (a) the Chairman of the meeting; (b) at least 
five shareholders entitled to vote and present in person 
or by proxy or represented by a duly authorised 
corporate representative at the meeting; (c) any 
shareholder or shareholders present in person or  
by proxy or represented by a duly authorised corporate 
representative and holding shares or being a 
representative in respect of a holder of shares 
representing in the aggregate not less than one-tenth  
of the total voting rights of all shareholders entitled to 
attend and vote at the meeting; or (d) any shareholder 
or shareholders present in person or by proxy or 
represented by a duly authorised corporate 
representative and holding shares or being a 
representative in respect of a holder of shares 
conferring a right to attend and vote at the meeting  
on which there have been paid up sums in the aggregate 
equal to not less than one-tenth of the total sums paid 
up on all the shares conferring that right; 

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OTHER STATUTORY INFORMATION CONTINUED

Company to it under the agreement and any connected 
finance document, which amount will become due and 
payable within 15 business days and, in respect of each 
letter of credit issued under the agreement, full cash 
cover will be required within 15 business days; 

•  US$300 million secured revolving credit facility 

agreement between, among others, the Company  
and certain subsidiaries of the Company, BNP Paribas, 
HSBC Bank plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Lloyds TSB 
Bank plc and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment 
Bank and the lenders specified therein pursuant  
to which each lender thereunder may cancel its 
commitments immediately and demand repayment  
of all outstanding amounts owed by the Company  
and certain subsidiaries of the Company to it under  
the agreement and any connected finance document,  
which amount will become due and payable within  
15 business days;

•  US$1 billion secured revolving credit facility agreement 

between, among others, the Company and certain 
subsidiaries of the Company, BNP Paribas, Crédit 
Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and Standard 
Chartered Bank and the lenders specified therein 
pursuant to which each lender thereunder may cancel 
its commitments immediately and demand repayment 
of all outstanding amounts owed by the Company  
and certain subsidiaries of the Company to it under  
the agreement and any connected finance document, 
which amount will become due and payable within  
15 business days.

•  Return of capital – in the event of the liquidation of the 
Company, after payment of all liabilities and deductions 
taking priority, the balance of assets available for 
distribution will be distributed among the holders of 
ordinary shares according to the amounts paid up on 
the shares held by them. A liquidator may, with the 
authority of a special resolution, divide among the 
shareholders the whole or any part of the Company’s 
assets; or vest the Company’s assets in whole or in  
part in trustees upon such trusts for the benefit of 
shareholders, but no shareholder is compelled to accept 
any property in respect of which there is a liability; 

•  Control rights under employee share schemes – the 
Company operates a number of employee share 
schemes. Under some of these arrangements, shares 
are held by trustees on behalf of employees. The 
employees are not entitled to exercise directly any 
voting or other control rights. The trustees will 
generally vote in accordance with employees’ 
instructions and abstain where no instructions are 
received. Unallocated shares are generally voted at  
the discretion of the trustees; and 

•  Restrictions on holding securities – there are no 

restrictions under the Company’s Articles of Association 
or under UK law that either restrict the rights of UK 
resident shareholders to hold shares or limit the rights 
of non-resident or foreign shareholders to hold or vote 
the Company’s ordinary shares.

There are no UK foreign exchange control restrictions  
on the payment of dividends to US persons on the Company’s 
ordinary shares.

Material agreements containing ‘change of control’ 
provisions
The following significant agreements will, in the event of a 
‘change of control’ of the Company, be affected as follows:

•  US$3.4 billion (or up to US$3.9 billion in the event  

that the Company exercises its option to increase the 
commitments by up to an additional US$500 million  
and the lenders provide such additional commitments) 
senior secured revolving credit facility agreement 
between, among others, the Company and certain 
subsidiaries of the Company, BNP Paribas, HSBC Bank 
plc, Standard Chartered Bank, Lloyds TSB Bank plc and 
Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank and the 
lenders specified therein pursuant to which each lender 
thereunder may cancel its commitments immediately 
and demand repayment of all outstanding amounts 
owed by the Company and certain subsidiaries of the 

108  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEUnder the terms of each of the above agreements, a ‘change 
of control’ occurs if any person, or group of persons acting 
in concert (as defined in the City Code on Takeovers and 
Mergers), gains control of the Company.

•  An indenture relating to US$650 million of 6 per cent 
Senior Notes due 2020 between, among others, the 
Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company and 
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited as the Trustee. 
Pursuant to this Indenture the Company must make an 
offer to noteholders to repurchase all the notes at 101 
per cent of the aggregate principal amount of the notes, 
plus accrued and unpaid interest in the event that a 
change of control of the Company occurs. The 
repurchase offer must be made by the Company to all 
noteholders within 30 days following the ‘change of 
control’ and the repurchase must take place no earlier 
than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date  
the repurchase offer is made. Each noteholder may  
take up the offer in respect of all or part of its notes. 

•  An indenture relating to US$650 million of 6.25 per cent 
Senior Notes due 2022 between, among others, the 
Company, certain subsidiaries of the Company and 
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited as the Trustee. 
Pursuant to this indenture, the Company must make 
an offer to noteholders to repurchase all the notes at  
101 per cent of the aggregate principal amount of the 
notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest in the event  
that a change of control of the Company occurs. The 
repurchase offer must be made by the Company to all 
noteholders within 30 days following the change of 
control and the repurchase must take place no earlier 
than 10 days and no later than 60 days from the date  
the repurchase offer is made. Each noteholder may  
take up the offer in respect of all or part of its notes. 

Under the terms of each of the above indentures a change  
of control occurs, in general terms, when (i) a disposal is 
made of all or substantially all the properties or assets  
of the Company and all its restricted subsidiaries (other  
than through a merger or consolidation) in one or a series  
of related transactions; (ii) a plan is adopted relating to the 
liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or (iii) a person 
becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of shares 
of the Company which grant that person more than 50 per 
cent of the voting rights of the Company. 

Directors
The biographical details of the Directors of the Company  
at the date of this Report are given on pages 50 and 51. 

Details of Directors’ service agreements and letters of 
appointment can be found on pages 96 and 97. Details of the 
Directors’ interests in the ordinary shares of the Company 
and in the Group’s long-term incentive and other share 
option schemes are set out on page 102 and pages 104  
to 106 in the Directors’ remuneration report.

Directors’ indemnities and insurance cover 
As at the date of this Report, indemnities are in force under 
which the Company has agreed to indemnify the Directors,  
to the extent permitted by the Companies Act 2006, against 
claims from third parties in respect of certain liabilities 
arising out of, or in connection with, the execution of their 
powers, duties and responsibilities as Directors of the 
Company or any of its subsidiaries. The Directors are also 
indemnified against the cost of defending a criminal 
prosecution or a claim by the Company, its subsidiaries or  
a regulator provided that where the defence is unsuccessful 
the Director must repay those defence costs. The Company 
also maintains Directors’ and Officers’ Liability insurance 
cover, the level of which is reviewed annually. 

Conflicts of interest 
A Director has a duty to avoid a situation in which he or she 
has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts,  
or possibly may conflict, with the interests of the Group.  
The Board requires Directors to declare all appointments 
and other situations that could result in a possible conflict of 
interest and has adopted appropriate procedures to manage 
and, if appropriate, approve any such conflicts. The Board is 
satisfied that there is no compromise to the independence of 
those Directors who have appointments on the boards of, or 
relationships with, companies outside the Group.

Powers of Directors 
The general powers of the Directors are set out in Article 104 
of the Articles of Association of the Company. It provides that 
the business of the Company shall be managed by the Board 
which may exercise all the powers of the Company whether 
relating to the management of the business of the Company 
or not. This power is subject to any limitations imposed on 
the Company by applicable legislation. It is also limited by 
the provisions of the Articles of Association of the Company 
and any directions given by special resolution of the 
shareholders of the Company which are applicable  
on the date that any power is exercised.

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OTHER STATUTORY INFORMATION CONTINUED

Please note the following specific provisions relevant to the 
exercise of power by the Directors: 

•  Pre-emptive rights and new issues of shares – the 

holders of ordinary shares have no pre-emptive rights 
under the Articles of Association of the Company. 
However, the ability of the Directors to cause the 
Company to issue shares, securities convertible into 
shares or rights to shares, otherwise than pursuant  
to an employee share scheme, is restricted under the 
Companies Act 2006 which provides that the directors  
of a company are, with certain exceptions, unable to 
allot any equity securities without express authorisation, 
which may be contained in a company’s articles of 
association or given by its shareholders in general 
meeting, but which in either event cannot last for more 
than five years. Under the Companies Act 2006, the 
Company may also not allot shares for cash (otherwise 
than pursuant to an employee share scheme) without 
first making an offer on a pre-emptive basis to existing 
shareholders, unless this requirement is waived by a 
special resolution of the shareholders. The Company 
received authority at the last Annual General Meeting  
to allot shares for cash on a non pre-emptive basis up 
to a maximum nominal amount of £4,554,406. The 
authority lasts until the earlier of the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company in 2016 or 30 June 2016.

•  Repurchase of shares – subject to authorisation by 

shareholder resolution, the Company may purchase its 
own shares in accordance with the Companies Act 2006. 
Any shares that have been bought back may be held as 
treasury shares or must be cancelled immediately upon 
completion of the purchase. The Company received 
authority at the last Annual General Meeting to 
purchase up to 91,881,196 Ordinary Shares. The 
authority lasts until the earlier of the Annual General 
Meeting of the Company in 2016 or 30 June 2016.

•  Borrowing powers – the net external borrowings of  
the Group outstanding at any time shall not exceed  
an amount equal to four times the aggregate of the 
Group’s adjusted capital and reserves calculated in  
the manner prescribed in Article 105 of the Company’s 
Articles of Association, unless sanctioned by an  
ordinary resolution of the Company’s shareholders.

Appointment and replacement of Directors 
The Company shall appoint (disregarding Alternate 
Directors) no fewer than two and no more than 15 Directors. 
The appointment and replacement of Directors may be made 
as follows:

•  The shareholders may by ordinary resolution elect  
any person who is willing to act to be a Director;

•  The Board may elect any person who is willing to act  
to be a Director. Any Director so appointed shall hold 
office only until the next Annual General Meeting and 
shall then be eligible for election;

•  Each Director is required in terms of the Articles of 
Association to retire from office at the third Annual 
General Meeting after the Annual General Meeting at 
which he or she was last elected or re-elected although 
he or she may be re-elected by ordinary resolution if 
eligible and willing. However, to comply with the 
principles of best corporate governance, the Board 
intends that each Director will submit him or herself  
for re-election on an annual basis; 

•  The Company may by special resolution remove any 
Director before the expiration of his or her period of 
office or may, by ordinary resolution, remove a Director 
where special notice has been given and the necessary 
statutory procedures are complied with; and

•  There are a number of other grounds on which a 
Director’s office may cease, namely voluntary 
resignation, where all the other Directors (being at least 
three in number) request his or her resignation, where 
he or she suffers physical or mental incapacity, where 
he or she is absent from meetings of the Board without 
permission of the Board for six consecutive months, 
becomes bankrupt or compounds with his or her 
creditors or is prohibited by law from being a Director.

Encouraging diversity in our workforce 
Tullow is committed to eliminating discrimination and 
encouraging diversity amongst its workforce. Decisions 
related to recruitment selection, development or promotion 
are based upon merit and ability to adequately meet the 
requirements of the job, and are not influenced by factors 
such as gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, colour, 
nationality, religion, sexual orientation, age, or disability. 

110  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

CORPORATE GOVERNANCEWe want our workforce to be truly representative of all 
sections of society and for all our employees to feel 
respected and able to reach their potential. Our commitment 
to these aims and detailed approach are set out in Tullow’s 
Code of Ethical Conduct and Equal Opportunities Policy.

We aim to provide an optimal working environment to suit 
the needs of all employees, including those of employees 
with disabilities. For employees who become disabled during 
their time with the Group, Tullow will provide support to help 
them remain safely in continuous employment.

Annual General Meeting
The Notice of Annual General Meeting accompanies this 
Annual Report and sets out the resolutions to be proposed  
at the forthcoming AGM. The meeting will be held on  
28 April 2016, at Tullow Oil’s Head Office, 9 Chiswick Park,  
566 Chiswick High Road, London, W4 5XT from 12 noon. 

This Corporate Governance Report (which includes the 
Directors’ remuneration report) and the information referred 
to herein has been approved by the Board and signed on its 
behalf by: 

Kevin Massie
Corporate Counsel and Company Secretary

9 February 2016

Registered office: 
9 Chiswick Park 
566 Chiswick High Road 
London W4 5XT

Company registered in England and Wales No. 3919249

Employee involvement and engagement
We use a range of methods to inform and consult with 
employees about significant business issues and our 
performance. These include webcasts, the Group’s  
intranet, town hall meetings and Tullow World, our  
in-house magazine.

We have an employee share plan for all permanent 
employees which gives employees a direct interest  
in the business’s success. 

Political donations
In line with Group policy, no donations were made  
for political purposes. 

Corporate responsibility 
The Group works to achieve high standards of environmental, 
health and safety management. Our performance in these 
areas can be found on pages 46 and 47 of this Report.  
In addition, Tullow publishes a separate Corporate 
Responsibility Report which is available on the Group 
website: www.tullowoil.com.

Auditors and disclosure of relevant audit information
Having made the requisite enquiries, so far as the Directors 
are aware, there is no relevant audit information (as defined 
by section 418(3) of the Companies Act 2006) of which the 
Company’s auditors are unaware and each Director has 
taken all steps that ought to have been taken to make him  
or herself aware of any relevant audit information and  
to establish that the Company’s auditors are aware of  
that information.

A resolution to re-appoint Deloitte LLP as the Company’s 
auditors will be proposed at the AGM. More information  
can be found in the Audit Committee report on page 79.

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OUR NEW VENTURES BUSINESS

The New Ventures Business Delivery Team is 
responsible for Tullow’s frontier exploration and 
appraisal activity. This involves investigating 
potential new countries to enter, negotiating deals 
to acquire, farm-in or farm-out of licences and 
high-grading the Group’s explorations portfolio to 
prepare drill-ready prospects for future years.

FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS
3

Independent auditor’s report for the Group Financial 
Statements 

Statement of Directors’ responsibilities  

114

115

Group Financial Statements 

Company Financial Statements 

Five year financial summary 

Supplementary information
Shareholder information 

Licence interests 

Commercial reserves and resources 

Transparency disclosure 

Subsidiaries 

Glossary 

120

154

163

164

165

170

171

176

178

South American exploration team reviewing subsurface geology, Dublin office, Ireland

3FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

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

Directors’ responsibility statement 
We confirm that to the best of our knowledge:

•  The Financial Statements, prepared in accordance  
with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
adopted by the EU, give a true and fair view of the 
assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or loss  
of the Company and the undertakings included in the 
consolidation taken as a whole;

•  The Strategic Report includes a fair review of the 

development and performance of the business and the 
position of the Company and the undertakings included 
in the consolidation taken as a whole together with a 
description of the principal risks and uncertainties that 
they face; and

•  The Annual Report and Financial Statements, taken  

as a whole, are fair, balanced and understandable and 
provide the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s performance, business model 
and strategy. 

By order of the Board

Aidan Heavey 
Chief Executive Officer 

Ian Springett
Chief Financial Officer

9 February 2016 

9 February 2016

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual 
Report and the Financial Statements in accordance with 
applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the directors to prepare Financial 
Statements for each financial year. Under that law the 
Directors have elected to prepare the Group Financial 
Statements in accordance with International Financial 
Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European 
Union and the Parent Company Financial Statements in 
accordance with Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced 
Disclosure Framework. Under company law the Directors 
must not approve the Financial Statements unless they  
are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the  
state of affairs of the Company and of the profit or loss  
of the Company for that period. 

Company
In preparing the Parent Company Financial Statements,  
the Directors are required to:

•  Select suitable accounting policies and then apply  

them consistently;

•  Make judgements and accounting estimates that  

are reasonable and prudent;

•  State whether Financial Reporting Standard 101 

Reduced Disclosure Framework has been followed, 
subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the Financial Statements; and 

•  Prepare the Financial Statements on the going concern 
basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the 
Company will continue in business.

Group
In preparing the Group Financial Statements, International 
Accounting Standard 1 requires that Directors:

•  Properly select and apply accounting policies;

•  Present information, including accounting policies,  

in a manner that provides relevant, reliable, comparable 
and understandable information; 

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

•  Make an assessment of the Group’s ability to continue 

as a going concern.

The Directors are responsible for keeping proper accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the 
Company’s transactions and disclose with reasonable 
accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company 
and enable them to ensure that the Financial Statements 
comply with the Companies Act 2006. 

They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of  
the Company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the 
prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

114  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF TULLOW OIL PLC

Opinion on Financial 
Statements of Tullow 
Oil plc

Going concern and the 
Directors’ assessment 
of the principal risks 
that would threaten the 
solvency or liquidity of 
the Group

Independence

In our opinion:
•  the Financial Statements give a true and fair view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent 
Company’s affairs as at 31 December 2015 and of the Group’s loss for the year then ended;
•  the Group Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance with International 

Financial Reporting Standards (IFRSs) as adopted by the European Union;

•  the Parent Company Financial Statements have been properly prepared in accordance  

with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including FRS 101  
“Reduced Disclosure Framework”; and

•  the Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of  
the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the Group Financial Statements, Article 4 of  
the IAS Regulation.

The Financial Statements comprise the Group Income Statement, the Group Statement of 
Comprehensive Income and Expense, the Group and Company Balance Sheets, the Group 
Statement of Changes in Equity, the Group Cash Flow Statement, the Group Accounting Policies 
with related notes 1 to 31 and the Company Accounting Policies with related notes 1 to 10. The 
financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Group Financial 
Statements is applicable law and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The financial reporting 
framework that has been applied in the preparation of the Parent Company Financial Statements 
is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice), including FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure Framework”.

As required by the Listing Rules we have reviewed the Directors’ statement regarding the 
appropriateness of the going concern basis of accounting contained within note (af) to the 
Financial Statements and the Directors’ statement on the longer-term viability of the Group  
on page 55. 
We have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to:
•  the Directors’ confirmation on page 114 that they have carried out a robust assessment of  

the principal risks facing the Group, including those that would threaten its business model, 
future performance, solvency or liquidity;

•  the disclosures on page 52 that describe those risks and explain how they are being managed 

or mitigated;

•  the Directors’ statement in note (af) to the Financial Statements about whether they considered 

it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing them and their 
identification of any material uncertainties to the Group’s ability to continue to do so over a 
period of at least 12 months from the date of approval of the Financial Statements;

•  the Directors’ explanation on page 78 as to how they have assessed the prospects of the Group, 
over what period they have done so and why they consider that period to be appropriate, and 
their statement as to whether they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the period of their assessment, 
including any related disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications or 
assumptions.

We agreed with the Directors’ adoption of the going concern basis of accounting and we did not 
identify any such material uncertainties. However, because not all future events or conditions  
can be predicted, this statement is not a guarantee as to the Group’s ability to continue as a  
going concern.

We are required to comply with the Financial Reporting Council’s Ethical Standards for 
Auditors and we confirm that we are independent of the Group and we have fulfilled our  
other ethical responsibilities in accordance with those standards. We also confirm we have  
not provided any of the prohibited non-audit services referred to in those standards.

Our assessment of 
risks of material 
misstatement

The assessed risks of material misstatement described below are those that had the greatest 
effect on our audit strategy, the allocation of resources in the audit and directing the efforts  
of the engagement team.

The Audit Committee has requested that while not required under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland),  
we include in our report any significant key observations in respect of these assessed risks of material misstatement.

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INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF TULLOW OIL PLC CONTINUED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Carrying value of Exploration and Evaluation (“E&E”) assets

Risk description

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to  
the risk

Key observations

The carrying value of E&E assets at 31 December 2015 is $3,400.0 million, and the Group has  
written off E&E expenditure totalling $748.9 million in the year. See note 11 for further details. 
The assessment of the carrying value requires management to exercise judgement as described  
in the “critical accounting judgements” section of the Annual Report on page 128. Management’s 
assessment requires consideration of a number of factors, including but not limited to, the Group’s 
intention to proceed with a future work programme for a prospect or licence, the likelihood of licence 
renewal, and the success of drilling and geological analysis to date.

We evaluated management’s assessment of E&E assets carried forward with reference to the 
criteria of IFRS 6: Exploration for and Evaluation of Mineral Resources and the Group’s accounting 
policy (see page 126). In 2015, the Group has continued to review their exploration strategy and 
geographical areas of exploration focus in the context of a lower oil price environment. Our work 
has considered both of these factors.
The audit procedures we performed included obtaining an understanding of the Group’s ongoing 
E&E activity by interviewing operational and finance staff at all key locations, and gathering audit 
evidence to assess the value of E&E assets carried forward. Such evidence included approved 
project budgets, and confirmations of ongoing appraisal activity and the licence phase. 
Where an asset has been impaired we have challenged management on the events that led  
to the impairment, including reference to future budgeted expenditure. 
Where an asset has demonstrated indicators of impairment but has been retained on the  
balance sheet, we have gathered evidence in respect of the status of appraisal activity,  
allocation of budget and any conclusion on commerciality.

We are satisfied that the assets have been treated in accordance with the criteria of IFRS 6  
and Tullow’s E&E accounting policy. 
In some circumstances the costs of wells from exploration continue to be held on the balance  
sheet for a significant period of time while development consent is obtained, for example in  
Uganda where development is considered to be highly likely. Based on the audit evidence we  
have gathered we are satisfied that management has reached these conclusions appropriately.

Carrying value of PP&E assets

Risk description

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to  
the risk

The Group holds PP&E assets of $5,204.4 million at 31 December 2015 and has recorded 
impairments of PP&E of $406.0 million in 2015. See note 12 for further information.
As described in the “critical accounting judgements” section of the Annual Report on page 128,  
the assessment of the carrying value of PP&E assets requires management to exercise judgement 
in identifying indictors of impairment, such as a decrease in oil price or a downgrade of proved  
and probable reserves. 
When such indicators are identified, management must make an estimate of the recoverable 
amount of the asset which is compared against the carrying value. The calculation of the 
recoverable amount requires judgement in estimating future oil and gas prices, the applicable 
asset discount rate, and the cost and production profiles of reserves estimates. 

We examined management’s assessment of impairment indicators, which concluded that the  
fall in commodity prices represented an indicator of impairment for all oil and gas assets held 
within PP&E.
The assumptions that underpin management’s calculation of the recoverable amount of oil and  
gas assets are inherently judgemental. Our audit work therefore assessed the reasonableness  
of management’s key judgements of the recoverable amount of each asset. Specifically our work 
included, but was not limited to, the following procedures: 
•  benchmarking and analysis of oil and gas price assumptions against forward curves,  

peer information and other market data; 

•  agreement of hydrocarbon production profiles and proved and probable reserves to  

third party reserve reports; 

•  verification of estimated future costs by agreement to approved budgets and where 

applicable, third party data; and

•  the recalculation and benchmarking of discount rates applied with involvement of  

Deloitte industry valuation specialists.

116  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Key observations

From the work performed, we are satisfied that the assets have been treated in accordance  
with the requirements of IAS 36: Impairment of Assets. 
When considered in aggregate, we consider the assumptions adopted to be within a reasonable 
range. Management has disclosed the impact of sensitivities of both the discount rate and 
commodity prices in the PP&E note on page 138.

Provision for tax claims

Risk description

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to  
the risk

Key observations

Going concern

Risk description

How the scope  
of our audit 
responded to  
the risk

Key observations

The nature, rate and type of taxation which is applicable to hydrocarbon exploration and production 
activities varies widely by jurisdiction. In addition, the Group is subject to various claims from local 
tax authorities in the normal course of its business. 
Significant judgement is required to estimate the appropriate level of provision for the tax claims 
against the Group as the validity and ultimate outcome of such claims can be uncertain. As such, 
the Group has included tax provisions in their disclosure of key sources of uncertainty on page 129.

We have challenged the assumptions made by management regarding each significant claim with 
Tullow’s tax team, such as their assessment of the likely outcome of the claim, and their estimate 
of any future settlement value. We have also evaluated the provisions and potential exposures 
together with tax specialists within the audit team from the relevant jurisdictions. 
Our audit work included review of correspondence with the relevant tax authorities and we used  
our knowledge of the specific tax regimes to challenge the Group’s assumptions and judgements 
regarding the level of provisions made.

We are satisfied that the judgements made by management are reasonable, based on the audit 
evidence gathered.
The settlement of the Ugandan Capital Gains Tax dispute in the year has significantly reduced the 
overall tax exposure. There remain a number of claims where the Group believes there is a low 
probability of adverse outcomes due to the locations and industry in which the Group operates.

The Group is dependent upon its ability to generate sufficient cash flows to meet scheduled  
loan repayments and covenant requirements and hence to operate within its existing debt  
facilities. Commodity price volatility in the oil and gas sector has placed increased pressure  
on these cash flows and the ability of the Group to comply in the future with covenant ratios.

Management’s going concern forecasts include a number of assumptions on future cash flows, 
associated risks, and covenant compliance. Our audit work has focused on evaluating and 
challenging the reasonableness of these assumptions and their impact on the forecast period. 
Specifically, we obtained, challenged and assessed management’s going concern forecasts,  
and performed procedures, including:
•  Challenging management as to the reasonableness of pricing assumptions applied,  

based on the benchmarking of market data;

•  Verifying the consistency of key inputs relating to future costs and production to other 

financial and operational information obtained during our audit;

•  Reviewing key loan agreements, and past and forecast loan covenant calculations, and 
obtaining and reviewing correspondence with the lead arrangers of the RBL and RCF 
facilities with regards to the risk of non-compliance with financial covenant ratios; and

•  Performing sensitivity analysis on management’s “base case”, including applying potential 

downside scenarios such as lower oil prices and business interruption.

Management has concluded that the going concern basis remains appropriate after performing  
a detailed forecast of the liquidity and covenant compliance for a period of 12 months from the  
date of approval of the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts. In reaching their conclusion, they have 
considered the impact of possible downside scenarios and their ability to take mitigating actions  
if required, in advance of any such scenario threatening the maintenance of liquidity or covenant 
compliance. We are satisfied that management’s going concern assessment is appropriate as 
stated above.

The description of risks above should be read in conjunction with the significant issues considered 
by the Audit Committee discussed on page 81.
These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the Financial Statements as a whole, 
and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.

www.tullowoil.com  117

3 
 
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF TULLOW OIL PLC CONTINUED

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our application of 
materiality

An overview of the 
scope of our audit

Opinion on other 
matters prescribed 
by the Companies 
Act 2006

Matters on which 
we are required to 
report by exception

We define materiality as the magnitude of misstatement in the Financial Statements that makes it 
probable that the economic decisions of a reasonably knowledgeable person would be changed or 
influenced. We use materiality both in planning the scope of our audit work and in evaluating the 
results of our work.
We determined materiality for the Group to be $60 million (2014: $80 million), which is below 6%  
of pre-tax loss, and below 2% of equity. The decrease in materiality in 2015 reflects the decrease  
in the Group’s net assets following the impairments recorded in the year.
We agreed with the Audit Committee that we would report to them all audit differences in excess  
of $1.6 million (2014: $1.6 million), as well as differences below that threshold that, in our view, 
warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. We also report to the Audit Committee on disclosure 
matters that we identified when assessing the overall presentation of the Financial Statements. 

Our Group audit scope for the current and prior year included a full audit of all seven (2014: eight) 
reporting unit locations, based on our assessment of the risks of material misstatement and of the 
materiality of the Group’s business operations at those locations. These seven reporting units account 
for 100% of the Group’s total revenue, profit before tax and net assets. The materialities used for these 
components ranged from $20 million to $35 million.
The Group team audits the UK, Kenya and Uganda reporting units directly. Their involvement in the 
work performed by component auditors varies by location and includes, at a minimum, a review of  
the reports provided on the results of the work undertaken by the component audit teams. 
In addition, the Senior Statutory Auditor or senior members of his Group audit team visited the 
following reporting locations in the year: Gabon, Ghana, Kenya, and Uganda to direct and review  
the audit work performed by the component auditors.
At the Parent Company level we also tested the consolidation process and carried out analytical 
procedures to confirm our conclusion that there were no significant risks of material misstatement  
of the aggregated financial information of the remaining components not subject to audit or audit  
of specified account balances.

In our opinion:
•  the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited has been properly prepared  

in accordance with the Companies Act 2006; and

•  the information given in the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report for the financial year  
for which the Financial Statements are prepared is consistent with the Financial Statements.

Adequacy of explanations received and accounting records
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
•  we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
•  adequate accounting records have not been kept by the Parent Company, or returns adequate  

for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

•  the Parent Company Financial Statements are not in agreement with the accounting records  

and returns.

We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.

Directors’ remuneration
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are also required to report if in our opinion certain disclosures  
of Directors’ remuneration have not been made or the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report  
to be audited is not in agreement with the accounting records and returns. We have nothing to  
report arising from these matters.

Corporate Governance Statement
Under the Listing Rules we are also required to review part of the Corporate Governance Statement 
relating to the Company’s compliance with certain provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code. 
We have nothing to report arising from our review.

Our duty to read other information in the Annual Report
Under International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland), we are required to report to you if,  
in our opinion, information in the Annual Report is:
•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited financial statements; or
•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent with, our knowledge of the  

Group acquired in the course of performing our audit; or

•  otherwise misleading.
In particular, we are required to consider whether we have identified any inconsistencies between  
our knowledge acquired during the audit and the Directors’ statement that they consider the Annual 
Report is fair, balanced and understandable and whether the Annual Report appropriately discloses 
those matters that we communicated to the Audit Committee which we consider should have been 
disclosed. We confirm that we have not identified any such inconsistencies or misleading statements.

118  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Respective 
responsibilities of 
Directors and 
auditor

Scope of the audit 
of the Financial 
Statements

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement, the Directors are responsible 
for the preparation of the Financial Statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair 
view. Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the Financial Statements in 
accordance with applicable law and International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland). We also 
comply with International Standard on Quality Control 1 (UK and Ireland). Our audit methodology 
and tools aim to ensure that our quality control procedures are effective, understood and applied. 
Our quality controls and systems include our dedicated professional standards review team and 
independent partner reviews.
This report is made solely to the Company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3  
of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state 
to the Company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report 
and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume 
responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company’s members as a body, for  
our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

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

Dean Cook MA FCA (Senior statutory auditor)
for and on behalf of Deloitte LLP 
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditor 
London, United Kingdom

9 February 2016

www.tullowoil.com  119

3 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP INCOME STATEMENT 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Continuing activities 
Sales revenue  
Cost of sales  

Gross profit  
Administrative expenses  
Restructuring costs 
Loss on disposal 
Goodwill impairment 
Exploration costs written off 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment, net 
Provision for onerous service contracts 

Operating loss 
(Loss)/gain on hedging instruments 
Finance revenue 
Finance costs  

Loss from continuing activities before tax  
Income tax credit  

Loss for the year from continuing activities  
Attributable to: 
Owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interest 

Loss per ordinary share from continuing activities 
Basic 
Diluted  

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

2 
4 

 1,606.6 
(1,015.3)

 2,212.9 
(1,116.7)

 591.3 
(193.6)
(40.8)
(56.5)
(53.7)
(748.9)
(406.0)
(185.5)

(1,093.7)
(58.8)
 4.2 
(149.0)

4 
4 
9 
10 
11 
12 
23 

4 
21 
2 
5 

 1,096.2 
(192.4)
–
(482.4)
(132.8)
(1,657.3)
(595.9)
–

(1,964.6)
 50.8 
 9.6 
(143.2)

(1,297.3)
 260.4 

(2,047.4)
 407.5 

6 

(1,036.9)

(1,639.9)

(1,034.8)
(2.1)

(1,555.7)
(84.2)

26 

(1,036.9)

(1,639.9)

8 

¢ 

(113.6)
(113.6)

¢

(170.9)
(170.9)

GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EXPENSE 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Loss for the year 
Items that may be reclassified to the income statement in subsequent periods 
Cash flow hedges 

Gains arising in the year 
Reclassification adjustments for items included in profit on realisation 

Exchange differences on translation of foreign operations 

Other comprehensive income 
Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 

Net other comprehensive income for the year 

Total comprehensive expense for the year 

Attributable to: 
Owners of the Company 
Non-controlling interest 

120  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
120 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(1,036.9)

(1,639.9)

21 
21 

21 

513.0 
(302.4)
(43.6)
167.0 
(42.3)
124.7 

485.7
4.6
(50.6)
439.7
(91.0)
348.7

(912.2)

(1,291.2)

(910.1)
(2.1)

(1,207.0)
(84.2)

(912.2)

(1,291.2)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP BALANCE SHEET 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 

ASSETS  
Non-current assets  
Goodwill 
Intangible exploration and evaluation assets 
Property, plant and equipment  
Investments  
Other non-current assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Deferred tax assets 

Current assets  
Inventories  
Trade receivables  
Other current assets 
Current tax assets 
Derivative financial instruments 
Cash and cash equivalents  
Assets classified as held for sale 

Total assets  
LIABILITIES  
Current liabilities  
Trade and other payables  
Provisions 
Borrowings 
Current tax liabilities  
Derivative financial instruments 
Liabilities directly associated with assets classified as held for sale 

Non-current liabilities  
Trade and other payables 
Borrowings  
Provisions  
Deferred tax liabilities 

Total liabilities  
Net assets 

EQUITY 
Called-up share capital  
Share premium 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Hedge reserve 
Other reserves  
Retained earnings  

Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company 
Non-controlling interest 

Total equity 

Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 9 February 2016. 

Aidan Heavey 
Chief Executive Officer 

Ian Springett 
Chief Financial Officer 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
21 
24 

15 
16 
14 
6 
21 
17 
18 

19 
23 
20 

21 
18 

19 
20 
23 
24 

25 
25 

21 

26 

 164.0 
 3,400.0 
 5,204.4 
 1.0 
 223.4 
 218.7 
 295.3 
 9,506.8 

 217.7 
 3,660.8 
 4,887.0 
 1.0 
 119.7 
 193.9 
 255.0 
 9,335.1 

 107.2 
 80.8 
 763.2 
 127.6 
 406.5 
 355.7 
– 
 1,841.0 
 11,347.8 

 139.5 
 87.8 
 902.3 
 221.6 
 280.8 
 319.0 
 135.6 
 2,086.6 
 11,421.7 

(1,110.6)
(187.0)
(73.8)
(208.3)
(2.1)
 – 
(1,581.8)

(99.3)
(4,262.4)
(1,065.1)
(1,164.5)
(6,591.3)
(8,173.1)
 3,174.7 

 147.2 
 609.8 
(249.3)
 569.9 
 740.9 
 1,336.4 
 3,154.9 
 19.8 
 3,174.7 

(1,074.9)
–
(131.5)
(115.9)
(3.3)
(13.6)
(1,339.2)

(85.1)
(3,209.1)
(1,260.4)
(1,507.6)
(6,062.2)
(7,401.4)
 4,020.3 

 147.0 
 606.4 
(205.7)
 401.6 
 740.9 
 2,305.8 
 3,996.0 
 24.3 
 4,020.3 

www.tullowoil.com  121
www.tullowoil.com 121 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Share 
capital 
$m 

Share
premium
$m

 146.9  
–  
 –  

 603.2 
 – 
 – 

Foreign 
currency 
translation
reserve1
$m

Hedge
reserve2
$m

Other
reserves3
$m

(155.1)
 – 
 – 

 2.3 
 – 
 399.3 

 740.9 
 – 
 – 

Retained 
earnings
$m

 3,984.7 
(1,555.7)
–
–

Non-
controlling
interest4
$m

Total 
$m 

 5,322.9  
(1,555.7) 
 399.3  

 123.5 
(84.2)
–
–

 –  

 – 

(50.6)

 0.1  
 –  

 –  
 –  

 3.2 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

(50.6) 

 3.3  
(0.4) 

–
(0.4)

 59.5 
(182.3)

 59.5  
(182.3) 

–
–
–

–

Total
equity
$m

 5,446.4 
(1,639.9)
 399.3 

(50.6)

 3.3 
(0.4)

 59.5 
(182.3)

 –  
 147.0  
 –  
 –  

 – 
 606.4 
 – 
 – 

 – 
(205.7)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 401.6 
 – 
 168.3 

 –  

 – 

(43.6)

 0.2  
 –  

 3.4 
 – 

 –  
 –  

 –  

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 740.9 

–
 2,305.8 

– 
 3,996.0  
 –  (1,034.8) (1,034.8) 
 168.3  
 – 
 – 

 – 

(43.6) 

 – 
(1.9)

 3.6  
(1.9) 

 67.3 
 – 

 67.3  
 –  

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 

(15.0)
(15.0)
 24.3 
 4,020.3 
(2.1) (1,036.9)
 168.3 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

(43.6)

 3.6 
(1.9)

 67.3 
 – 

 – 

 –  

(2.4)

(2.4)

At 1 January 2014 
Loss for the year 
Hedges, net of tax 
Currency translation 
adjustments 
Issue of employee share 
options 
Vesting of PSP shares 
Share-based payment 
charges  
Dividends paid 
Distribution to non-
controlling interests  
At 1 January 2015 
Loss for the year 
Hedges, net of tax 
Currency translation 
adjustments 
Issue of employee share 
options 
Vesting of PSP shares 
Share-based payment 
charges  
Dividends paid 
Distribution to non-
controlling interests 

Notes

21

25

27
7

26

21

25

27
7

26

At 31 December 2015 

 147.2  

 609.8 

(249.3)

 569.9 

 740.9 

 1,336.4 

 3,154.9  

 19.8 

 3,174.7 

1.  The foreign currency translation reserve represents exchange gains and losses arising on translation of foreign currency subsidiaries, monetary items 
receivable from or payable to a foreign operation for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur, which form part of the net investment in  
a foreign operation, and exchange gains or losses arising on long-term foreign currency borrowings which are a hedge against the Group’s overseas 
investments. The movement during the year is primarily driven by the strengthening of USD against NOK and EUR. 

2.  The hedge reserve represents gains and losses on derivatives classified as effective cash flow hedges.  

3.  Other reserves include the merger reserve and the treasury shares reserve which represents the cost of shares in Tullow Oil plc purchased  

in the market and held by the Tullow Oil Employee Trust to satisfy awards held under the Group’s share incentive plans (note 27). 

4.  Non-controlling interest is described further in note 26. 

122  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
122 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Cash flows from operating activities 
Loss before taxation  
Adjustments for:  
Depletion, depreciation and amortisation  
Loss on disposal 
Goodwill impairment 
Exploration costs written off  
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Provision for onerous service contracts 
Provision for inventory 
Decommissioning expenditure 
Share-based payment charge 
Loss/(gain) on hedging instruments 
Finance revenue  
Finance costs  
Operating cash flow before working capital movements 
(Increase)/decrease in trade and other receivables  
Decrease in inventories  
Increase/(decrease) in trade payables  

Cash generated from operating activities 
Income taxes received/(paid)  

Net cash from operating activities  

Cash flows from investing activities  
Proceeds from disposals 
Purchase of intangible exploration and evaluation assets 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment  
Interest received  

Net cash used in investing activities  

Cash flows from financing activities  
Net proceeds from issue of share capital  
Debt arrangement fees  
Repayment of bank loans 
Drawdown of bank loans 
Issue of senior loan notes 
Repayment of obligations under finance leases 
Finance costs paid 
Dividends paid  
Distribution to non-controlling interests 

Net cash generated by financing activities  

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year  
Cash transferred from held for sale 
Foreign exchange loss 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(1,297.3)

(2,047.4)

4 
9 
10 
11 
12 
23 
15 
23 
27 
21 
2 
5 

 580.1 
 56.5 
 53.7 
 748.9 
 406.0 
 185.5 
 22.2 
(40.8)
 48.7 
 58.8 
(4.2)
 149.0 
 967.1 
(26.5)
 9.0 
 366.5 

 621.8 
 482.4 
 132.8 
 1,657.3 
 595.9 
–
–
(20.4)
 39.5 
(50.8)
(9.6)
 143.2 
 1,544.7 
 29.9 
 61.0 
(119.6)

 1,316.1 
 34.9 

 1,516.0 
(34.2)

 1,351.0 

 1,481.8 

9 

 55.8 
(647.6)
(1,464.8)
 4.2 

 21.3 
(1,255.1)
(1,098.3)
 4.6 

(2,052.4)

(2,327.5)

 3.5 
(25.7)
(191.8)
 1,168.8 
 – 
(3.3)
(203.6)
 – 
(2.4)

 3.3 
(22.2)
(1,202.1)
 1,749.8 
 650.0 
(1.1)
(172.9)
(182.3)
(15.0)

 745.5 

 807.5 

 44.1 
 319.0 
 – 
(7.4)

(38.2)
 352.9 
 16.2 
(11.9)

20 

7 
26 

17 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 

17 

 355.7 

 319.0 

www.tullowoil.com  123
www.tullowoil.com 123 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

(a) General information  
Tullow Oil plc is a company incorporated and domiciled  
in the United Kingdom under the Companies Act 2006.  
The address of the registered office is given on page 111.  

(b) Adoption of new and revised standards 
Standards not affecting the reported results or the  
financial position  
New and revised Standards and Interpretations adopted in 
the current year did not have any significant impact on the 
amounts reported in these Financial Statements. 

At the date of authorisation of these Financial Statements,  
the following Standards and Interpretations which have  
not been applied in these Financial Statements were in 
issue but not yet effective (and in some cases had not  
yet been adopted by the EU): 

IFRS 5 

Non-current Assets Held for 
Sale and Discontinued 
Operations – Changes in 
methods of disposal 

IFRS 9 

Financial Instruments

IFRS 10 and IAS 28 

IFRS 11 

IFRS 14 

IFRS 15 

IFRS 16 

IAS 1 

IAS 16 and IAS 38 

IAS 19 

IAS 27 

IAS 34 

Sale or Contribution of Assets 
between an Investor and its 
Associate or Joint Venture 

Accounting for Acquisitions of 
Interests in Joint Operations 

Regulatory Deferral Accounts

Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers 

Leases 

Disclosure Initiative

Clarification of Acceptable 
Methods of Depreciation  
and Amortisation 

Employee Benefits – Discount 
rate: regional market issue 

Equity Method in Separate 
Financial Statements 

Interim Financial Reporting –
Disclosure of information 
'elsewhere in the interim 
financial report' 

The adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments which the 
Group plans to adopt for the year commencing 1 January 
2018 will impact both the measurement and disclosures  
of financial instruments. The adoption of IFRS 16 Leases 
which the Group plans to adopt for the year commencing 1 
January 2019 will impact both the measurement and 
disclosures of leases. 

The Directors do not expect that the adoption of the other 
Standards listed above will have a material impact on the 
Financial Statements of the Group in future periods. 

(c) Changes in accounting policy  
Other than the changes to the Standards noted above,  
the Group’s accounting policies are consistent with the 
prior year. 

124  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
124 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

(d) Basis of accounting  
The Financial Statements have been prepared in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting 
Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting 
Standards Board (IASB). The Financial Statements have 
also been prepared in accordance with IFRS as adopted  
by the European Union and therefore the Group Financial 
Statements comply with Article 4 of the EU IAS Regulation.  

The Financial Statements have been prepared on the 
historical cost basis, except for derivative financial 
instruments that have been measured at fair value and 
non-current assets held for sale which are carried at  
fair value less cost to sell. The Financial Statements  
are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded  
to the nearest $0.1 million, except where otherwise stated.  
The Financial Statements have been prepared on a  
going concern basis (see note 21 for further details). 

The principal accounting policies adopted by the Group  
are set out below.  

(e) Basis of consolidation 
The consolidated Financial Statements incorporate the 
Financial Statements of the Company and entities 
controlled by the Company (its subsidiaries) made up to  
31 December each year. Control is achieved where the 
Company has the power over an investee entity, is exposed, 
or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with 
the investee and has the ability to use its power to affect  
its returns. 

Non-controlling interests in the net assets of consolidated 
subsidiaries are identified separately from the Group’s  
equity therein. Non-controlling interests consist of the  
amount of those interests at the date of the original  
business combination (see below) and the non-controlling 
share of changes in equity since the date of the 
combination. Losses within a subsidiary are attributed  
to the non-controlling interest even if that results in a 
deficit balance. The Group does not have any material  
non-controlling interests. 

The results of subsidiaries acquired or disposed of during  
the year are included in the Group income statement from  
the transaction date of acquisition, being the date on which  
the Group gains control and will continue to be included  
until the date that control ceases. 

Where necessary, adjustments are made to the Financial 
Statements of subsidiaries to bring the accounting policies 
used into line with those used by the Group. 

All intra-Group transactions, balances, income  
and expenses are eliminated on consolidation. 

Business combinations 
The acquisition of subsidiaries is accounted for using the 
acquisition method. The consideration of the acquisition is 
measured at the aggregate of the fair values, at the date of 
exchange, of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed 
and equity instruments issued by the Group in exchange  
for control of the acquiree. Acquisition costs incurred are 
expensed and included in administration expenses. The 
acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent 
liabilities that meet the conditions for recognition under 
IFRS 3 are recognised at their fair value at the acquisition 
date, except for non-current assets (or disposal groups)  
that are classified as held for sale in accordance with 
IFRS 5 Non-current Assets held for Sale and Discontinued 

Operations, which are recognised and measured at fair 
value less costs to sell. Goodwill arising on acquisition  
is recognised as an asset and initially measured at cost, 
being the excess of the cost of the business combination 
over the Group’s interest in the net fair value of the 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities 
recognised. If, after reassessment, the Group’s interest  
in the net fair value of the acquiree’s identifiable assets, 
liabilities and contingent liabilities exceeds the cost of  
the business combination, the excess is recognised 
immediately in the income statement. 

Joint arrangements 
The Group is engaged in oil and gas exploration, 
development and production through unincorporated joint 
arrangements; these are classified as joint operations  
in accordance with IFRS 11. The Group accounts for  
its share of the results and net assets of these joint 
operations. In addition, where Tullow acts as Operator  
to the joint operation, the gross liabilities and receivables 
(including amounts due to or from non-operating partners) 
of the joint operation are included in the Group’s  
balance sheet. 

(f) Non-current assets held for sale  
Non-current assets (or disposal groups) classified as  
held for sale are measured at the lower of carrying  
amount and fair value less costs to sell. Non-current 
assets and disposal groups are classified as held for sale  
if their carrying amount will be recovered through a sale 
transaction rather than through continuing use. This 
condition is regarded as met only when the sale is highly 
probable and the asset (or disposal group) is available  
for immediate sale in its present condition. Management 
must be committed to the sale which should be expected  
to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within one 
year from the date of classification.  

(g) Revenue 
Sales revenue represents the sales value, net of VAT, of  
the Group’s share of liftings in the year together with tariff 
income. Revenue is recognised when goods are delivered 
and title has passed. 

Revenues received under take-or-pay sales contracts  
in respect of undelivered volumes are accounted for  
as deferred income. 

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference  
to the principal outstanding and at the effective interest 
rate applicable, which is the rate that exactly discounts 
estimated future cash receipts through the expected life  
of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount. 

(h) Over/underlift 
Lifting or offtake arrangements for oil and gas produced  
in certain of the Group’s jointly owned operations are such that 
each participant may not receive and sell its precise share of 
the overall production in each period. The resulting imbalance 
between cumulative entitlement and cumulative production 
less stock is underlift or overlift. Underlift and overlift are 
valued at market value and included within receivables and 
payables respectively. Movements during an accounting 
period are adjusted through cost of sales such that gross 
profit is recognised on an entitlements basis. 

In respect of re-determinations, any adjustments to the  
Group’s net entitlement of future production are accounted  

for prospectively in the period in which the make-up oil is 
produced. Where the make-up period extends beyond the 
expected life of a field an accrual is recognised for the 
expected shortfall. 

(i) Inventory  
Inventories, other than oil product, are stated at the lower 
of cost and net realisable value. Cost is determined by the 
first-in first-out method and comprises direct purchase 
costs, cost of production, transportation and manufacturing 
expenses. Net realisable value is determined by reference 
to prices existing at the balance sheet date. 

Oil product is stated at net realisable value and changes in 
net realisable value are recognised in the income statement. 

(j) Foreign currencies 
The US dollar is the presentation currency of the Group. 
For the purpose of presenting consolidated Financial 
Statements, the assets and liabilities of the Group’s non-
US dollar-denominated functional entities are translated  
at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. 
Income and expense items are translated at the average 
exchange rates for the period. Currency translation 
adjustments arising on the restatement of opening net 
assets of non-US dollar subsidiaries, together with 
differences between the subsidiaries’ results translated  
at average rates versus closing rates, are recognised in  
the statement of comprehensive income and expense and 
transferred to the foreign currency translation reserve.  
All resulting exchange differences are classified as equity 
until disposal of the subsidiary. On disposal, the cumulative 
amounts of the exchange differences are recognised as 
income or expense. 

Transactions in foreign currencies are recorded at the 
rates of exchange ruling at the transaction dates. Monetary 
assets and liabilities are translated into functional currency 
at the exchange rate ruling at the balance sheet date, with 
a corresponding charge or credit to the income statement. 
However, exchange gains and losses arising on monetary 
items receivable from or payable to a foreign operation  
for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to  
occur, which form part of the net investment in a  
foreign operation, are recognised in the foreign currency 
translation reserve and recognised in profit or loss on 
disposal of the net investment. In addition, exchange  
gains and losses arising on long-term foreign currency 
borrowings which are a hedge against the Group’s 
overseas investments are dealt with in reserves. 

(k) Goodwill 
The Group allocates goodwill to cash-generating units 
(CGUs) or groups of CGUs that represent the assets 
acquired as part of the business combination. 

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as at  
31 December and when circumstances indicate  
that the carrying value may be impaired.  

Impairment is determined for goodwill by assessing the 
recoverable amount, using the ‘Value in Use’ method,  
of each CGU (or group of CGUs) to which goodwill relates. 
When the recoverable amount of the CGU is less than  
its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised. 
Impairment losses relating to goodwill cannot be  
reversed in future periods. 

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3 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

(l) Exploration, evaluation and production assets 
The Group adopts the successful efforts method of 
accounting for exploration and evaluation costs. Pre-
licence costs are expensed in the period in which they are 
incurred. All licence acquisition, exploration and evaluation 
costs and directly attributable administration costs are 
initially capitalised in cost centres by well, field or 
exploration area, as appropriate. Interest payable  
is capitalised insofar as it relates to specific  
development activities.  

These costs are then written off as exploration costs in the 
income statement unless commercial reserves have been 
established or the determination process has not been 
completed and there are no indications of impairment.  

All field development costs are capitalised as property, plant 
and equipment. Property, plant and equipment related to 
production activities is amortised in accordance with the 
Group’s depletion and amortisation accounting policy. 

Cash consideration received on farm-down of exploration 
and evaluation assets is credited against the carrying value 
of the asset. 

(m) Commercial reserves 
Commercial reserves are proven and probable oil and gas 
reserves, which are defined as the estimated quantities  
of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids which 
geological, geophysical and engineering data demonstrate 
with a specified degree of certainty to be recoverable  
in future years from known reservoirs and which are 
considered commercially producible. There should be  
a 50 per cent statistical probability that the actual quantity 
of recoverable reserves will be more than the amount 
estimated as proven and probable reserves and a  
50 per cent statistical probability that it will be less. 

(n) Depletion and amortisation – discovery fields  
All expenditure carried within each field is amortised from  
the commencement of production on a unit of production 
basis, which is the ratio of oil and gas production in the 
period to the estimated quantities of commercial reserves 
at the end of the period plus the production in the period, 
generally on a field-by-field basis or by a group of fields 
which are reliant on common infrastructure. Costs used  
in the unit of production calculation comprise the net book 
value of capitalised costs plus the estimated future field 
development costs required to recover the commercial 
reserves remaining. Changes in the estimates of 
commercial reserves or future field development  
costs are dealt with prospectively. 

Where there has been a change in economic conditions  
that indicates a possible impairment in a discovery field,  
the recoverability of the net book value relating to that field 
is assessed by comparison with the estimated discounted 
future cash flows based on management’s expectations  
of future oil and gas prices and future costs. Where there  
is evidence of economic interdependency between fields, 
such as common infrastructure, the fields are grouped  
as a single cash-generating unit for impairment purposes. 

Any impairment identified is charged to the income 
statement as additional depletion and amortisation. Where 
conditions giving rise to impairment subsequently reverse, 
the effect of the impairment charge is also reversed as a 
credit to the income statement, net of any amortisation  
that would have been charged since the impairment. 

126  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
126 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

(o) Decommissioning 
Provision for decommissioning is recognised in full when  
the related facilities are installed. A corresponding amount 
equivalent to the provision is also recognised as part of  
the cost of the related property, plant and equipment.  
The amount recognised is the estimated cost of 
decommissioning, discounted to its net present value, and  
is reassessed each year in accordance with local conditions 
and requirements. Changes in the estimated timing of 
decommissioning or decommissioning cost estimates are 
dealt with prospectively by recording an adjustment to the 
provision, and a corresponding adjustment to property, 
plant and equipment. The unwinding of the discount on the 
decommissioning provision is included as a finance cost. 

(p) Property, plant and equipment 
Property, plant and equipment is stated in the balance 
sheet at cost less accumulated depreciation and any 
recognised impairment loss. Depreciation on property, 
plant and equipment other than production assets is 
provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less the 
estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line 
basis over its expected useful economic life of between 
three and five years. 

(q) Finance costs and debt 
Borrowing costs directly attributable to the acquisition, 
construction or production of qualifying assets, which are 
assets that necessarily take a substantial period of time to  
get ready for their intended use or sale, are added to the 
cost of those assets, until such time as the assets are 
substantially ready for their intended use or sale. 

Finance costs of debt are allocated to periods over the 
term of the related debt at a constant rate on the carrying 
amount. Arrangement fees and issue costs are deducted 
from the debt proceeds on initial recognition of the liability 
and are amortised and charged to the income statement  
as finance costs over the term of the debt. 

(r) Share issue expenses and share premium account 
Costs of share issues are written off against the premium 
arising on the issues of share capital. 

(s) Taxation 
Current and deferred tax, including UK corporation tax  
and overseas corporation tax, are provided at amounts 
expected to be paid using the tax rates and laws that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance  
sheet date. Deferred corporation tax is recognised on  
all temporary differences that have originated but not 
reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions  
or events that result in an obligation to pay more, or right 
to pay less, tax in the future have occurred at the balance 
sheet date. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the 
extent that it is considered more likely than not that there 
will be suitable taxable profits from which the underlying 
temporary differences can be deducted. Deferred tax is 
measured on a non-discounted basis. 

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising 
on acquisitions that are categorised as Business 
Combinations. Deferred tax is recognised at acquisition  
as part of the assessment of the fair value of assets and 
liabilities acquired. Any deferred tax is charged or credited  
in the income statement as the underlying temporary 
difference is reversed.  

Petroleum Revenue Tax (PRT) is treated as an income tax 
and deferred PRT is accounted for under the temporary 
difference method. Current UK PRT is charged as a tax 
expense on chargeable field profits included in the income 
statement and is deductible for UK corporation tax. 

In order to account for uncertain tax positions 
management has formed an accounting policy, in 
accordance with IAS 8, whereby the ultimate outcome  
of legal proceedings is viewed as a single unit of account. 
The results of separate hearings in relation to the same 
matter, such as local tribunals and international 
arbitration, are not viewed separately and only the final 
outcome is assessed by management to determine the 
best estimate of any potential outcome. If management 
viewed the results of individual hearings separately an 
income statement charge could arise due to the differing 
recognition criteria of assets and liabilities. 

(t) Pensions 
Contributions to the Group’s defined contribution  
pension schemes are charged to operating profit  
on an accruals basis.  

(u) Derivative financial instruments  
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to manage  
its exposure to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates,  
interest rates and movements in oil and gas prices. 

Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. 

The purpose for which a derivative is used is established  
at inception. To qualify for hedge accounting, the derivative 
must be highly effective in achieving its objective and  
this effectiveness must be documented at inception and 
throughout the period of the hedge relationship. The hedge 
must be assessed on an ongoing basis and determined to  
have been highly effective throughout the financial 
reporting periods for which the hedge was designated. 

For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified  
as either fair value hedges, when they hedge the exposure  
to changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability, 
or cash flow hedges, where they hedge exposure to 
variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a 
particular risk associated with a recognised asset or 
liability or forecast transaction. 

For cash flow hedges, the portion of the gains and losses 
on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an 
effective hedge is taken to other comprehensive income 
and the ineffective portion, as well as any change in time 
value, is recognised in the income statement. The gains 
and losses taken to other comprehensive income are 
subsequently transferred to the income statement during 
the period in which the hedged transaction affects the 
income statement. A similar treatment applies to foreign 
currency loans which are hedges of the Group’s net 
investment in the net assets of a foreign operation. 

Gains or losses on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge 
accounting treatment (either from inception or during the 
life of the instrument) are taken directly to the income 
statement in the period. 

(v) Leases 
Leases are classified as finance leases whenever the  
terms of the lease transfer substantially all the risks and 
rewards of ownership to the lessee. All other leases are 
classified as operating leases and are charged to the 

income statement on a straight-line basis over the term  
of the lease. 

Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets  
of the Group at their fair value or, if lower, at the present  
value of the minimum lease payments, each determined  
at the inception of the lease. The corresponding liability  
to the lessor is included in the balance sheet as a finance 
lease obligation. Lease payments are apportioned between 
finance charges and reduction of the lease obligation so  
as to achieve a constant rate of interest on the remaining 
balance of the liability. Finance charges are charged 
directly against income, unless they are directly attributable 
to qualifying assets, in which case they are capitalised in 
accordance with the Group’s policy on borrowing costs. 

(w) Share-based payments 
The Group has applied the requirements of IFRS 2 Share-
based Payments. The Group has share-based awards that 
are equity settled and cash settled as defined by IFRS 2. 
The fair value of the equity settled awards has been 
determined at the date of grant of the award allowing for 
the effect of any market-based performance conditions. 
This fair value, adjusted by the Group’s estimate of the 
number of awards that will eventually vest as a result  
of non-market conditions, is expensed uniformly over  
the vesting period. 

The fair values were calculated using a binomial option 
pricing model with suitable modifications to allow for 
employee turnover after vesting and early exercise. Where 
necessary, this model is supplemented with a Monte Carlo 
model. The inputs to the models include: the share price at 
date of grant; exercise price; expected volatility; expected 
dividends; risk free rate of interest; and patterns of 
exercise of the plan participants. 

For cash settled awards, a liability is recognised for the 
goods or service acquired, measured initially at the fair 
value of the liability. At each balance sheet date until the 
liability is settled, and at the date of settlement, the fair 
value of the liability is remeasured, with any changes in  
fair value recognised in the income statement. 

(x) Financial assets 
All financial assets are recognised and derecognised on a 
trade date where the purchase or sale of a financial asset  
is under a contract whose terms require delivery of the 
investment within the timeframe established by the market 
concerned, and are initially measured at fair value, plus 
transaction costs. 

Financial assets are classified into the following specified 
categories: financial assets ‘at fair value through profit  
or loss’ (FVTPL); ‘held-to-maturity’ investments; ‘available- 
for-sale’ (AFS) financial assets; and ‘loans and receivables’. 
The classification depends on the nature and purpose  
of the financial assets and is determined at the time of 
initial recognition. 

(y) Cash and cash equivalents 
Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash at bank, demand 
deposits and other short-term highly liquid investments that 
are readily convertible to a known amount of cash and are 
subject to an insignificant risk of changes in value. 

(z) Loans and receivables 
Trade receivables, loans and other receivables that have 
fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in  

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3 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ACCOUNTING POLICIES CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

an active market are classified as loans and receivables. 
Loans and receivables are measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest method, less any impairment. 
Interest income is recognised by applying the effective 
interest rate, except for short-term receivables when the 
recognition of interest would be immaterial. 

(aa) Effective interest method 
The effective interest method is a method of calculating  
the amortised cost of a financial asset and of allocating 
interest income over the relevant period. The effective 
interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated 
future cash receipts (including all fees on points paid or 
received that form an integral part of the effective interest 
rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) 
through the expected life of the financial asset, or, where 
appropriate, a shorter period. 

Income is recognised on an effective interest basis for debt 
instruments other than those financial assets classified as  
at FVTPL. The Group chooses not to disclose the effective 
interest rate for debt instruments that are classified as at  
fair value through profit or loss. 

(ab) Financial liabilities and equity instruments 
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are classified 
according to the substance of the contractual 
arrangements entered into. 

(ac) Equity instruments 
An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a 
residual interest in the assets of the Group after deducting 
all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group 
are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct  
issue costs. 

(ad) Other financial liabilities 
Other financial liabilities, including borrowings, are initially 
measured at fair value, net of transaction costs. Other 
financial liabilities are subsequently measured at 
amortised cost using the effective interest method, with 
interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis. 

(ae) Critical accounting judgements  
The Group assesses critical accounting judgements 
annually. The following are the critical judgements, apart 
from those involving estimations (which are dealt with in 
policy (af)), that the Directors have made in the process  
of applying the Group’s accounting policies and that have 
the most significant effect on the amounts recognised  
in the Financial Statements. 

•  Carrying value of intangible exploration and evaluation  

assets (note 11); 

The amounts for intangible exploration and evaluation 
assets represent active exploration projects. These 
amounts will be written off to the income statement  
as exploration costs unless commercial reserves are 
established or the determination process is not completed 
and there are no indications of impairment in accordance 
with the Group’s accounting policy. The process of 
determining whether there is an indicator for impairment 
or calculating the impairment requires critical judgement.  

The key areas in which management has applied 
judgement are as follows: the Group’s intention to proceed 
with a future work programme for a prospect or licence; 

128  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
128 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

the likelihood of licence renewal or extension; and the 
success of a well result or geological or geophysical survey. 

(af) Key sources of estimation uncertainty 
The key assumptions concerning the future, and other  
key sources of estimation uncertainty at the balance  
sheet date, that have a significant risk of causing a material 
adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities 
within the next financial year, are discussed below. 

•  Carrying value of property, plant and equipment  

(note 12); 

Management performs impairment reviews on the Group’s 
property, plant and equipment assets at least annually  
with reference to indicators in IAS 36 Impairment of  
Assets and performs valuations of acquired property,  
plant and equipment in conjunction with IFRS 3 Business 
Combinations. Where indicators are present and an 
impairment test is required, the calculation of the 
recoverable amount requires estimation of future cash 
flows within complex impairment models. 

Key assumptions and estimates in the impairment  
models relate to: commodity prices that are based on 
forward curves for two years and the long-term corporate 
economic assumptions thereafter, discount rates that  
are adjusted to reflect risks specific to individual assets, 
commercial reserves and the related cost profiles. 

•  Commercial reserves estimates used in the calculation 

of DD&A and impairment of property, plant and 
equipment (note 12); 

Proven and probable reserves are estimates of the amount 
of oil and gas that can be economically extracted from  
the Group’s oil and gas assets. The Group estimates  
its reserves using standard recognised evaluation 
techniques. The estimate is reviewed at least twice 
annually by management and is regularly reviewed  
by independent consultants.  

Proven and probable reserves are determined using 
estimates of oil and gas in place, recovery factors and 
future commodity prices, the latter having an impact  
on the total amount of recoverable reserves and the 
proportion of the gross reserves which are attributable  
to host governments under the terms of the Production 
Sharing Contracts. Future development costs are 
estimated taking into account the level of development 
required to produce the reserves by reference to  
operators, where applicable, and internal engineers. 

•  Presumption of going concern (note 21); 

The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. 
Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities  
run for different scenarios including, but not limited  
to, changes in commodity prices, different production  
rates from the Group’s producing assets and delays to 
development projects. In addition to the Group’s operating 
cash flows, portfolio management opportunities are 
reviewed to potentially enhance the financial capability  
and flexibility of the Group. In the currently low commodity 
price environment, the Group has taken appropriate action 
to reduce its cost base and had $1.9 billion of debt liquidity 
headroom and free cash at the end of 2015. The Group’s 
forecast, taking into account the risks described above, 
show that the Group will be able to operate within its 
current debt facilities and have sufficient financial 

•  Other tax provisions; 

The Group is subject to various claims which arise in the 
ordinary course of its business, including tax claims from 
tax authorities in a number of the jurisdictions in which  
the Group operates. In order to assess whether tax  
claims should be provided for in the Financial Statements 
management has assessed all such claims in the  
context of the tax laws of the countries in which it operates. 
Management has applied judgement in assessing the likely 
outcome of the tax claims and has estimated the financial 
impact based on external tax and legal advice and prior 
experience of such claims. 

The Directors believe that the Group has recorded 
adequate provisions as of 31 December 2015 and 2014  
for all such matters. 

•  Provisions for onerous service contracts (note 23). 

Due to the reduction in planned future work programmes 
the Group has identified a number of onerous service 
contracts. In order to calculate the provisions management 
has estimated the expected future usage of the contracts.  
If the Group is able to sub-contract the contracts or find  
a use for them the provision will decrease.

headroom for the 12 months from the date of approval  
of the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts. 

Notwithstanding our forecasts of liquidity headroom 
throughout the 12 month period, there remains a risk, 
given the volatility of the oil price environment and its 
impact on operating cash flows and facility availability,  
that the Group’s liquidity position may deteriorate and/or 
the Group may become technically non-compliant with  
one of its financial covenants at the end of 2016.  

To mitigate this risk, we will continue to maintain our  
long-term banking relations and will monitor our cash  
flow projections and, if necessary, take mitigating actions 
well in advance to maintain our liquidity and compliance 
with covenants. Actions available to the Group include 
further rationalisation of our cost base, cuts to 
discretionary capital expenditure, portfolio  
management and other funding options. 

Based on the analysis above, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the  
going concern basis of accounting in preparing the  
annual Financial Statements. 

•  Decommissioning costs (note 23); 

Decommissioning costs are uncertain and cost estimates 
can vary in response to many factors, including changes  
to the relevant legal requirements, the emergence of new 
technology or experience at other assets. The expected 
timing, work scope, amount of expenditure and risk 
weighting may also change. Therefore significant estimates 
and assumptions are made in determining the provision  
for decommissioning. 

The estimated decommissioning costs are reviewed 
annually by an external expert and the results of this  
review are then assessed alongside estimates from 
Operators. Provision for environmental clean-up and 
remediation costs is based on current legal and 
contractual requirements, technology and price levels. 

•  Recoverability of deferred tax assets (note 24);  

Deferred tax assets are recognised for unused tax losses  
to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits 
will be available against which the losses can be utilised. 
Estimation and judgement is required to determine the 
value of the deferred tax asset, based upon the timing  
and level of future taxable profits. 

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www.tullowoil.com 129 

3 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 1. Segmental reporting 
During 2015 the Group reorganised its operational structure so that the management and resources of the business  
are better aligned with the delivery of the business objectives. As a result the information reported to the Group’s Chief 
Executive Officer for the purposes of resource allocation and assessment of segment performance has changed to focus 
on three new Business Delivery Teams, West Africa (including non-operated producing European assets), East Africa and 
New Ventures. Therefore the Group’s reportable segments under IFRS 8 are West Africa; East Africa; and New Ventures. 
The following tables present revenue, profit and certain asset and liability information regarding the Group’s reportable 
business segments for the years ended 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014. The table for the year ended 
31 December 2014 has been restated to reflect the new reportable segments of the business. 

2015 
Sales revenue by origin 

Segment result 
Loss on disposal 
Unallocated corporate expenses 

Operating loss 
Loss on hedging instruments 
Finance revenue 
Finance costs 

Loss before tax 
Income tax credit 

Loss after tax 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Notes

West Africa
$m

East Africa
$m

New Ventures 
$m 

Unallocated 
$m 

Total
$m

 1,606.6 

 – 

 –  

 –  

 1,606.6 

(189.7)

(28.3)

(461.2) 

(123.6) 

(802.8)
(56.5)
(234.4)

(1,093.7)
(58.8)
 4.2 
(149.0)

(1,297.3)
 260.4 

(1,036.9)

 7,510.5 

 2,601.6 

 1,011.2  

 224.5  

 11,347.8 

(3,085.8)

(341.4)

(331.8) 

(4,414.1) 

(8,173.1)

Other segment information 
Capital expenditure: 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible exploration and evaluation assets 

Depletion, depreciation and amortisation 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Exploration costs written off 
Goodwill impairment 

12
11
12
12
11
10

 1,245.0 
 23.1 
(553.2)
(406.0)
(380.0)
–

 0.5 
 399.6 
(1.1)
 – 
(28.3)
–

 1.5  
 203.6  
(1.2) 
 –  
(340.6) 
(53.7) 

 11.2  
 –  
(24.6) 
 –  
 –  
– 

 1,258.2 
 626.3 
(580.1)
(406.0)
(748.9)
(53.7)

All sales are to external customers. Included in revenue arising from West Africa are revenues of approximately  
$314.9 million and $164.2 million relating to the Group’s largest customers (2014: $545.9 million, $323.2 million,  
$217.8 million and $210.5 million relating to the Group’s largest customers). As the sales of oil and gas are made  
on global markets and are highly liquid, the Group does not place reliance on the largest customers mentioned above. 

Unallocated expenditure and net liabilities include amounts of a corporate nature and not specifically attributable  
to a reportable segment. The liabilities comprise the Group’s external debt and other non-attributable corporate 
liabilities. The unallocated capital expenditure for the period comprises the acquisition of non-attributable  
corporate assets. 

130  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
130 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restated 
2014 
Sales revenue by origin 

Segment result 
Loss on disposal 
Unallocated corporate expenses 

Operating loss 
Gain on hedging instruments 
Finance revenue 
Finance costs 

Loss before tax 
Income tax credit 

Loss after tax 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

Notes

West Africa
$m

East Africa
$m

New Ventures 
$m 

Unallocated 
$m 

Total
$m

 2,205.2 

– 

 7.7  

–  

 2,212.9 

 371.8 

 0.8 

(1,656.1) 

(6.3) 

(1,289.8)
(482.4)
(192.4)

(1,964.6)
 50.8 
 9.6 
(143.2)

(2,047.4)
 407.5 

(1,639.9)

 7,454.2 

 2,354.7 

 1,397.3  

 215.5  

 11,421.7 

(3,285.9)

(267.6)

(588.5) 

(3,259.4) 

(7,401.4)

Other segment information 
Capital expenditure: 

Property, plant and equipment 
Intangible exploration and evaluation assets 

Depletion, depreciation and amortisation 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Exploration costs written off 
Goodwill impairment 

12
11
12
12
11
10

1,463.1
181.9
(577.1)
(592.4)
(134.6)
–

1.6
555.8
(0.9)
– 
0.8 
–

11.0 
667.8 
(1.2) 
(3.5) 
(1,523.5) 
(132.8) 

59.6 
– 
(42.6) 
–  
–  
– 

1,535.3
1,405.5
(621.8)
(595.9)
(1,657.3)
(132.8)

Sales revenue and non-current assets by origin 
Congo 
Côte d’Ivoire 
Equatorial Guinea 
Gabon 
Ghana 
Mauritania 
Netherlands 
UK 
Other 

Total West Africa 
Kenya 
Uganda 

Total East Africa 
Norway 
Other 

Total New Ventures 
Unallocated 

Sales revenue
2015
$m

Restated 
Sales revenue 
2014 
$m 

Non-current 
assets 
2015 
$m 

Restated
Non-current 
assets
2014
$m

 39.7 
 91.8 
 176.1 
 284.3 
 869.1 
 18.9 
 57.5 
 69.2 
 – 
 1,606.6 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 52.4  
 58.5  
 262.8  
 275.4  
 1,272.1  
 35.9  
 93.1  
 155.0  
–  
 2,205.2  
 – 
 – 
 – 
 7.7  
 – 
 7.7  
 – 

 12.2  
 159.1  
 218.6  
 234.5  
 4,891.0  
 –  
 115.5  
 6.0  
 0.5  
 5,637.4  
 880.6  
 1,593.5  
 2,474.1  
 474.8  
 297.7  
 772.5  
 108.8  

 82.9 
 143.3 
 354.7 
 313.1 
 4,102.9 
 1.4 
 572.6 
 93.9 
 10.6 
 5,675.4 
 659.4 
1,444.2
 2,103.6 
573.9
412.2
 986.1 
121.1

Total revenue / non-current assets 

 1,606.6 

 2,212.9  

 8,992.8  

 8,886.2 

Non-current assets excludes derivative financial instruments and deferred tax assets. 

www.tullowoil.com  131
www.tullowoil.com 131 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 2. Total revenue 

Sales revenue (excluding tariff income) 

Oil and gas revenue from the sale of goods 
Gain/(loss) on realisation of cash flow hedges 

Provision for accrued income 
Tariff income 

Total sales revenue 
Finance revenue 

Total revenue 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

 1,225.6 
 365.2 

 2,225.1
(14.5)

21 

 1,590.8 
 – 
 15.8 

 2,210.6 
(18.5)
 20.8 

 1,606.6 
 4.2 

 2,212.9 
 9.6 

 1,610.8 

 2,222.5 

During 2014 accrued income of $18.5 million in Gabon was written off. 

Note 3. Staff costs 
The average monthly number of employees and contractors (including Executive Directors) employed by the Group 
worldwide was:  

Administration 
Technical 

Total 

Staff costs in respect of those employees were as follows: 

Salaries 
Social security costs 
Pension costs 

2015 
Number 

785 
928 

2014
Number

956
1,115

1,713 

2,071

2015 
$m 

 325.5 
 13.0 
 20.9 

2014
$m

 415.2 
 24.1 
 19.6 

 359.4 

 458.9 

The decrease in staff costs is due to decreased employee numbers as a result of the simplification project. A proportion  
of the Group’s staff costs shown above is recharged to the Group’s joint venture partners, a proportion is allocated to 
operating costs and a proportion is capitalised into the cost of fixed assets under the Group’s accounting policy for 
exploration, evaluation and production assets with the remainder classified as an administrative overhead cost in the 
income statement. The net staff cost recognised in the income statement was $124.7 million (2014: $100.8 million). 

Details of Directors’ remuneration, Directors’ transactions and Directors’ interests are set out in the part of the  
Directors’ Remuneration Report described as having been audited which forms part of these Financial Statements.  

132  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
132 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 4. Operating loss 

Operating loss is stated after charging: 
Operating costs 
Depletion and amortisation of oil and gas assets 
Underlift, overlift and oil stock movements 
Share-based payment charge included in cost of sales 
Other cost of sales 

Total cost of sales 
Share-based payment charge included in administrative expenses 
Depreciation of other fixed assets 
Relocation costs associated with simplification project 
Other administrative costs 

Total administrative expenses 
Total restructuring costs 
Fees payable to the Company’s auditor for:  
The audit of the Company’s annual accounts 
The audit of the Company’s subsidiaries pursuant to legislation 
Total audit services 
Non-audit services: 
Audit related assurance services – half-year review 
Tax compliance services 
Corporate finance services 
Other services 
Total non-audit services 

Total 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

406.3 
 551.2 
(1.5)
 0.8 
 58.5 
 1,015.3 
 47.9 
 28.9 
 5.9 
 110.9 
 193.6 
40.8 

12 

27 

27 
12 

23 

511.5
 572.2 
 27.1 
 1.6 
4.3
 1,116.7 
 37.9 
 49.6 
–
 104.9 
 192.4 
–

0.4 
2.1 
2.5 

0.4 
0.1 
0.1 
0.2 
0.8 
3.3 

 0.4 
 2.4 
 2.8 

 0.5 
 0.2 
 0.2 
 0.1 
 1.0 
3.8

Fees payable to Deloitte LLP and their associates for non-audit services to the Company are not required to be  
disclosed because the consolidated Financial Statements are required to disclose such fees on a consolidated basis. 

Tax compliance services include assistance in connection with enquiries from local fiscal authorities. Other services 
include ad-hoc assurance services in relation to the Group’s JV agreements. 

Details of the Company’s policy on the use of auditors for non-audit services, the reasons why the auditor was used  
rather than another supplier and how the auditor’s independence and objectivity are safeguarded are set out in the  
Audit Committee report on pages 79 to 83. No services were provided pursuant to contingent fee arrangements. 

Note 5. Finance costs 

Interest on bank overdrafts and borrowings 
Interest on obligations under finance leases 

Total borrowing costs 
Less amounts included in the cost of qualifying assets 

Finance and arrangement fees  
Other interest expense 
Foreign exchange losses 
Unwinding of discount on decommissioning provisions 

Total finance costs 

Notes 

11,12 

23 

2015 
$m 

 246.3 
 2.0 

 248.3 
(160.1)

 88.2 
 16.8 
 2.7 
 13.0 
 28.3 

2014
$m

 202.3 
 1.1 

 203.4 
(120.6)

 82.8 
 14.4 
 1.0 
 22.6 
 22.4 

 149.0 

 143.2 

Borrowing costs included in the cost of qualifying assets during the year arose on the general borrowing pool and  
are calculated by applying a capitalisation rate of 6.15% (2014: 6.63%) to cumulative expenditure on such assets. 

www.tullowoil.com  133
www.tullowoil.com 133 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 6. Taxation on loss on ordinary activities 
Analysis of credit in period 
The tax credit comprises: 

Current tax 
UK corporation tax 
Foreign tax 

Total corporate tax 
UK petroleum revenue tax  

Total current tax 

Deferred tax 
UK corporation tax 
Foreign tax 

Total deferred corporate tax 
Deferred UK petroleum revenue tax 

Total deferred tax 

Total tax credit 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(3.5)
 94.9 

 91.4 
(0.3)

(61.5)
(70.0)

(131.5)
 4.8 

 91.1 

(126.7)

 6.9 
(354.0)

(347.1)
(4.4)

(199.7)
(81.4)

(281.1)
 0.3 

24 

(351.5)

(280.8)

(260.4)

(407.5)

Factors affecting tax credit for the period 
The change in tax credit in 2015 is driven by deferred tax credits associated with exploration write-offs of  
$276.5 million (2014: $397.9 million) and impairments of $49.1 million (2014: $174.9 million). 

The tax rate applied to profit on ordinary activities in preparing the reconciliation below is the UK corporation tax rate 
applicable to the Group’s non-upstream UK profits. The difference between the total current tax credit shown above  
and the amount calculated by applying the standard rate of UK corporation tax applicable to UK profits of 20% 
(2014: 21%) to the loss before tax is as follows: 

Group loss on ordinary activities before tax  

Tax on Group loss on ordinary activities at the standard UK corporation  
tax rate of 20% (2014: 21%) 

Effects of: 
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes 
Goodwill impairment 
PSC income not subject to corporation tax  
Net losses not recognised 
Petroleum revenue tax (PRT) 
UK corporation tax deductions for current PRT 
Utilisation of tax losses not previously recognised 
Adjustment relating to prior years 
Adjustments to deferred tax relating to change in tax rates 
Income taxed at a different rate 
Uganda capital gains tax 
Tax incentives for investment 

Group total tax credit for the year 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(1,297.3)

(2,047.4)

(259.5)

(430.0)

 212.4 
10.7 
(28.5)
 15.8 
(4.4)
 2.2 
– 
(14.9)
(1.0)
(297.3)
 108.2 
(4.1)

287.0 
27.9
(5.9)
 104.7 
 5.4 
(3.3)
(56.1)
(7.1)
 – 
(313.0)
–
(17.1)

(260.4)

(407.5)

The Finance (No.2) Act 2015 reduced the main rate of UK corporation tax applicable to all companies subject  
to corporation tax, except for those within the oil and gas ring fence, to 19% from 1 April 2017 and 18% from  
1 April 2020. These changes were substantively enacted on 26 October 2015 and hence the effect of the change  
on the deferred tax balances has been included, depending upon when deferred tax will reverse. 

134  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
134 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Group’s profit before taxation will continue to arise in jurisdictions where the effective rate of taxation differs from 
that in the UK. Furthermore, unsuccessful exploration expenditure is often incurred in jurisdictions where the Group  
has no taxable profits, such that no related tax benefit arises. Accordingly, the Group’s tax charge will continue to  
vary according to the jurisdictions in which pre-tax profits and exploration costs written off arise.  

The Group has tax losses of $1,802.0 million (2014: $1,642.1 million) that are available for offset against future taxable 
profits in the companies in which the losses arose. Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these 
losses as they may not be used to offset taxable profits elsewhere in the Group. The Group has recognised $55.7 million  
in deferred tax assets in relation to taxable losses (2014: $72.0 million); this is offset net of a deferred tax liability  
in respect of capitalised interest. 

No deferred tax liability is recognised on temporary differences of $8.5 million (2014: $21.2 million) relating to unremitted 
earnings of overseas subsidiaries as the Group is able to control the timing of the reversal of these temporary differences 
and it is probable that they will not reverse in the foreseeable future.  

Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income 
During 2015 $42.3 million (2014: $91.0 million) of tax has been recognised through other comprehensive income  
of which $43.2 million (2014: $89.5 million) is current and $0.9 million (2014: $1.5 million) is deferred tax relating  
to charges on cash flow hedges arising in the year. 

Current tax assets 
As at 31 December 2015, current tax assets were $127.6 million (2014: $221.6 million) of which $55.0 million  
(2014: $155.9 million) relates to Norway, where 78% of exploration expenditure is refunded as a tax refund in the  
following year and $47.7 million (2014: $47.7 million) relates to a tax overpayment in Ghana. 

Note 7. Dividends 

Declared and paid during year 
Final dividend for 2014: nil pence (2013: 8 pence) per ordinary share 
Interim dividend for 2015: nil pence (2014: 4 pence) per ordinary share 

Dividends paid 

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the AGM 
Final dividend for 2015: nil pence (2014: nil pence) per ordinary share 

2015 
$m 

– 
– 

– 

– 

2014
$m

123.3
59.0

 182.3 

–

Note 8. Loss per ordinary share 
Basic loss per ordinary share amounts are calculated by dividing net loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity 
holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year. 

Diluted loss per ordinary share amounts are calculated by dividing net loss for the year attributable to ordinary equity 
holders of the parent by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year plus the weighted 
average number of ordinary shares that would be issued if employee and other share options were converted into ordinary 
shares. The losses made in 2015 and 2014 are antidilutive. 

Loss 
Net loss attributable to equity shareholders 
Effect of dilutive potential ordinary shares 

Diluted net loss attributable to equity shareholders 

Number of shares 
Basic weighted average number of shares 
Dilutive potential ordinary shares 

Diluted weighted average number of shares 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(1,034.8) 
 –  

(1,555.7)
– 

(1,034.8) 

(1,555.7)

2015 
Number 

2014
Number

911,252,238 
25,070,398 

 910,144,565
 13,296,447

936,322,636 

 923,441,012

www.tullowoil.com  135
www.tullowoil.com 135 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 9. Disposals 

Uganda farm-down consideration adjustments 
Write-off of Uganda contingent consideration 
Disposal of L&Q blocks (Netherlands) 
Farm-down of E blocks (Netherlands) 
Disposal of Brage (Norway) to Wintershall 
Various licence disposals (Norway) 
Farm-down of Schooner & Ketch (UK) to Faroe Petroleum (U.K.) Limited 
Other 

Income 
statement
2015
$m

Cash flow 
2015 
$m 

Income 
statement 
2014 
$m 

Cash flow
2014
$m

– 
– 
(46.3)
 – 
 – 
(7.4)
 2.2 
(5.0)
(56.5)

 –  
 –  
 53.5  
 0.1  
 –  
 –  
 2.2  
 –  
55.8 

(36.6)
(370.1)
– 
– 
 21.1 
– 
(90.4)
(6.4)
(482.4)

(36.6)
– 
–
–
 8.4 
–
 38.1 
11.4
21.3

On 30 April 2015, Tullow completed the sale of its operated and non-operated interests in the L12/15 area and Blocks  
Q4 and Q5 to AU Energy. The consideration was €64 million ($53.5 million), producing a profit after tax of $7.4 million and 
a loss before tax of $46.3 million. On 5 June 2015, Tullow completed the farm-down to GDF Suez E&P Nederland of 30% 
equity and the operatorship of Exploration Licences E10, E11 (including Tullow’s Vincent discovery), E14, E15c and E18b. 

In 2014, the Group completed the disposal of Brage (Norway) and the farm-down of Schooner and Ketch (UK) for net cash 
consideration of $8.4 million and $38.1 million respectively. In 2014, it was determined that it was no longer probable that 
the contingent consideration, recorded on the farm-down of Ugandan assets in 2012, would be recoverable and as such 
the balance of $370.1 million was written off. In 2014, the Group made a payment of $36.6 million in respect of certain 
indemnities granted on the farm-down of Tullow’s interest in Uganda.  

Note 10. Goodwill 

At 1 January  
Impairment 

At 31 December  
Related deferred tax at 31 December 

Goodwill net of associated deferred tax 

2015 
$m 

 217.7 
(53.7)

 164.0 
(89.0)

2014
$m

 350.5 
(132.8)

 217.7 
(99.1)

75.0 

 118.6 

The Group’s goodwill of $350.5 million arose from the acquisition of Spring Energy in 2013 and is allocated to the group  
of cash-generating units (CGUs) that represent the assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually as at 
31 December and when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may be impaired. The goodwill balance results 
solely from the requirement to recognise a deferred tax liability on an acquisition, calculated as the difference between 
the tax effect of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities and their tax bases. As a result, for the purposes of 
testing goodwill for impairment, the related deferred tax liabilities recognised on acquisition are included in the group  
of CGUs. The above table details the net impact of goodwill and the related deferred tax on the CGU. 

In assessing goodwill for impairment the Group has compared the carrying value of goodwill and the carrying value of the 
related group of CGUs with the recoverable amounts of those CGUs. The carrying value of goodwill and the related group 
of CGUs together was $264.5 million (2014: $419.8 million) and the recoverable amount of the CGUs was $210.8 million 
(2014: $287.0 million), resulting in an impairment of $53.7 million (2014: $132.8 million). The cumulative impairment is 
$186.5 million (2014: $132.8 million). 

Key assumptions 
Recoverable reserves and resources 
Proven and probable reserves are estimated using standard recognised evaluation techniques. The estimate is reviewed 
at least twice annually and is regularly reviewed by independent consultants. Future development costs are estimated 
taking into account the level of development required to produce the reserves by reference to operators, where 
applicable, and internal engineers.  

Exploration discoveries and prospects 
A Value in Use (VIU) calculation was performed for discoveries. The VIU was calculated using risked resources,  
a long-term oil price assumption of $90/bbl, estimated future costs and a discount rate of 10%. 

Sensitivity to changes in assumptions 
As discussed above the principal assumptions are oil price and discount rate. A $10/bbl reduction in oil prices  
would increase the impairment charge by $115.1 million and a 1% increase in the discount rate would increase  
the impairment by $59.3 million. 

136  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
136 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 11. Intangible exploration and evaluation assets 

At 1 January  
Additions 
Disposals 
Amounts written-off  
Amounts written-off previously classified as held for sale 
Write-off associated with Norway contingent consideration provision 
Net transfer to assets held for sale 
Transfer to property, plant and equipment 
Currency translation adjustments 

At 31 December  

Notes 

1 
9 

23 
18 
12 

2015 
$m 

 3,660.8 
 626.3 
(5.2)
(748.9)
– 
 – 
 – 
(63.6)
(69.4)

2014
$m

 4,148.3 
 1,405.5 
(26.8)
(1,657.3)
(5.1)
(88.8)
(13.8)
– 
(101.2)

3,400.0 

3,660.8

Included within 2015 additions is $49.7 million (note 5) of capitalised interest (2014: $47.8 million). The Group only 
capitalises interest in respect of intangible exploration and evaluation assets where it is considered that development  
is highly likely and advanced appraisal and development is ongoing. 

The below table provides a summary of the exploration costs written-off on a pre-and post-tax basis by country. 

2015 
Current year 
expenditure 
written-off 
$m 

2015
Prior year 
expenditure 
written-off 
$m

Rationale for 
2015 
write-off 

2015
Post-tax 
write off
$’m

2015
Pre-tax 
write off
$’m

2014
Current year 
expenditure
$m

2014 
Prior year 
expenditure 
$m 

2014 
Post-tax 
write off 
$’m 

2014
Pre-tax 
write off
$’m

b 
c 
c 
a, b, c 
b 
c 
c 
a 
c 
a, b 
c 
b 
b 
a 
n/a 
a, b, c 

 2.9  
 4.8  
 0.3  
 3.5  
 0.4  
 6.0  
 0.2  
 28.3  
 –  
 11.3  
 1.5  
 7.3  
 4.6  
 27.8  
–  
 11.9  
 19.1  

 – 
 34.9 
 – 
 8.5 
 – 
 54.3 
 38.5 
 – 
 185.7 
 8.9 
 10.7 
 – 
 – 
 1.0 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 2.9 
 39.7 
 0.3 
 12.0 
 0.4 
 60.3 
 38.7 
 28.3 
 185.7 
 20.2 
 12.2 
 7.3 
 4.6 
 28.8 
 – 
 11.9 
 19.1 

 2.9 
 39.7 
 0.3 
 21.3 
 0.4 
 60.3 
 38.7 
 28.3 
 371.3 
 92.2 
 12.2 
 7.3 
 4.6 
 28.8 
 – 
 15.2 
 25.4 

 2.7 
 65.1 
(1.3)
 26.9 
 0.5 
–
–
 0.6 
–
 28.1 
–
 199.6 
(6.2)
–
(1.5)
 48.7 
 42.3 

 55.3  
–  
 344.4  
 6.4  
 19.9  
– 
– 
–  
– 
 52.3  
– 
 368.6  
 –  
– 
–  
7.0  
– 

58.0 
65.1 
343.1 
33.3 
20.4 
– 
– 
0.6 
– 
80.4 
– 
568.2 
(6.2)
– 
(1.5)
55.7 
42.3 

58.0
65.1
363.4
54.0
20.4
–
–
0.6
–
366.6
–
621.4
(6.2)
–
(1.5)
62.2
53.3

Côte d’Ivoire 
Ethiopia 
French Guiana 
Gabon 
Ghana 
Guinea 
Greenland 
Kenya 
Netherlands 
Norway 
Madagascar 
Mauritania 
Mozambique 
Suriname 
Uganda 
Other 
New ventures 

Total write-off 

129.9 

342.5

472.4

748.9

405.5

853.9 

1,259.4 

1,657.3

a.  Current year unsuccessful drilling results. 
b.  Licence relinquishments. 
c.  Review of forward work programme in light of capital re-allocation to development projects and current low oil and gas price environment. 

www.tullowoil.com  137
www.tullowoil.com 137 

3 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 12. Property, plant and equipment 

Cost 
At 1 January 
Additions  
Disposals 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Transfer from intangible assets 
Currency translation adjustments 

At 31 December 

Depreciation, depletion and 
amortisation 
At 1 January 
Charge for the year 
Impairment loss 
Reversal of impairment loss 
Disposal 
Transfer to assets held for sale 
Currency translation adjustments  

At 31 December 

2015
Oil and gas 
assets
$m

2015
Other fixed 
assets
$m

Notes

2015
Total
$m

2014 
Oil and gas 
assets 
$m 

2014 
Other fixed 
assets 
$m 

1

18
11

4

18

 9,240.3 
 1,235.1 
(6.2)
– 
 63.6 
(92.9)
 10,439.9 

 283.7 
 23.1 
(3.6)
– 
 – 
(13.7)
 289.5 

 9,524.0 
 1,258.2 
(9.8)
 – 
 63.6 
(106.6)
 10,729.4 

 8,692.4  
 1,454.7  
(601.3) 
(177.2) 
–  
(128.3) 
 9,240.3  

(4,489.1)
(551.2)
(467.2)
 61.2 
 6.4 
 – 
 79.9 
(5,360.0)

(147.9)
(28.9)
 – 
 – 
 3.6 
 – 
 8.2 
(165.0)

(4,637.0)
(580.1)
(467.2)
 61.2 
 10.0 
 – 
 88.1 
(5,525.0)

(3,942.3) 
(572.2) 
(595.9) 

 448.0  
 73.3  
 100.0  
(4,489.1) 

 221.4 
 80.6 
 0.1 
 – 
– 
(18.4)
 283.7 

(108.6)
(49.6)
 – 

(0.1)
 – 
 10.4 
(147.9)

2014
Total
$m

 8,913.8 
 1,535.3 
(601.2)
(177.2)
 – 
(146.7)
 9,524.0 

(4,050.9)
(621.8)
(595.9)

 447.9 
 73.3 
 110.4 
(4,637.0)

Net book value at 31 December 

 5,079.9 

 124.5 

 5,204.4 

 4,751.2  

 135.8 

 4,887.0 

The 2015 additions include capitalised interest of $110.4 million (note 5) in respect of the TEN development project  
(2014: $72.8 million). The carrying amount of the Group’s oil and gas assets includes an amount of $27.4 million  
(2014: $33.0 million) in respect of assets held under finance leases. Other fixed assets include leasehold improvements, 
motor vehicles and office equipment. The currency translation adjustments arose due to the movement against the 
Group’s presentation currency, USD, of the Group’s UK and Dutch assets which have functional currencies of GBP  
and EUR respectively. 

Trigger for 
2015
impairment

2015
Impairment
$’m

Discount rate 
assumption

Short-term price 
assumptiond 

Mid-term 
price 
assumption 

Long-term 
price 
assumption

CMS GCUe 
Thames GCUe 
Netherlands CGUe 
Limande CGUf (Gabon) 
Niungo CGUf (Gabon) 
Oba CGUf (Gabon) 
Tchatamba (Gabon) 
M’boundi (Congo) 
Equatorial Guinea CGUg 
TEN (Ghana) 
Chinguetti (Mauritania) 

Impairment before tax 
Associated deferred tax credit 

Impairment after tax 

10%
10%
10%
13%
15%
13%
13%
12%
10%
10%
10%

2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 
2yr forward curve 

n/a 
n/a 
n/a 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 
$70/bbl 

42.5p/th
42.5p/th
0.53€/th
$90/bbl
$90/bbl
$90/bbl
$90/bbl
$90/bbl
$90/bbl
$90/bbl
$90/bbl

a
b
a
a
a
a
c
a
a
a
a

87.5
(44.2)
28.7
(0.2)
21.1
13.7
(16.8)
65.9
16.3
228.5
5.5
406.0
(49.1)
356.9

a.  Reduction in estimated oil and gas forward curve and long-term price (refer to accounting policy on significant estimates). 
b.  Reduction in decommissioning estimate. 
c.  Increase in 2P reserves. 
d.  UK NBP gas forward curve and Bloomberg Brent forward curve as at 31 December 2015. All pricing assumptions have been adjusted for individual  

 field and contract differentials. 

e.  The fields in the UK and the Netherlands are grouped into two CGUs as all fields within those countries share critical gas infrastructure. 
f.  The Limande and Niungo CGUs in Gabon comprise a number of fields which share export infrastructure. 
g.  The Ceiba and Okume fields in Equatorial Guinea form a single CGU as they share export infrastructure. 

All impairment assessments are prepared on a Value In Use basis using discounted future cash flows based on  
2p reserves profiles. A 1% increase in the discount rates used would trigger a further impairment of $161.9 million  
and a $10/bbl reduction to the oil whole price deck would trigger a further impairment of $784.3 million. 

138  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
138 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 13. Investments 

Unlisted investments 

2015 
$m 

1.0 

2014
$m

1.0

The fair value of these investments is not materially different from their carrying value. A list of the subsidiaries  
is included on page 176. 

Note 14. Other assets 

Non-current 
Amounts due from joint venture partners 
Uganda VAT recoverable 
Other non-current assets 

Current 
Amounts due from joint venture partners 
Underlifts 
Prepayments 
VAT & WHT recoverable 
Other current assets 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

 161.8 
 50.3 
 11.3 
 223.4 

 584.4 
 2.4 
 77.9 
9.2 
 89.3 
 763.2 

 57.0 
 50.6 
 12.1 
 119.7 

 633.2 
 – 
 82.6 
 49.8 
 136.7 
902.3 

The decrease in amounts due from joint venture partners relates to the decrease in operated current liabilities, which  
are recorded gross with the corresponding debit recognised as an amount due from joint venture partners, in Kenya  
and Ghana. 

Note 15. Inventories 

Warehouse stocks and materials 
Oil stocks 

2015 
$m 

 66.0 
 41.2 

2014
$m

 86.0 
 53.5 

 107.2 

 139.5 

Inventories include a provision of $65.2 million (2014: $33.6 million) for warehouse stock and materials where it is 
considered that the net realisable value is lower than the original cost; this represents the total costs of inventory 
expensed. The increase in the provision during 2015 is associated with the completion of certain exploration campaigns 
and development projects, resulting in an income statement charge of $22.2 million (2014: $29.1 million, included in 
exploration costs written-off). 

Note 16. Trade receivables 
Trade receivables comprise amounts due for the sale of oil and gas. No current receivables are overdue, therefore none 
have been impaired and no allowance for doubtful debt has been recognised (2014: $nil million). 

Note 17. Cash and cash equivalents 

Cash at bank 

2015 
$m 

355.7 

2014
$m

319.0

Cash and cash equivalents includes an amount of $169.5 million (2014: $200.6 million) which the Group holds as operator 
in joint venture bank accounts. 

www.tullowoil.com  139
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3 
 
 
 
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 18. Assets classified as held for sale 
In September 2014, Tullow signed an agreement to sell its operated and non-operated interests in the L12/L15 area in the 
Netherlands along with non-operated interests in blocks Q4 and Q5 to AU Energy, a subsidiary of Mercuria Energy Group 
Ltd. This transaction completed in 2015, refer to note 9. 

The major classes of assets and liabilities comprising the operations classified as held for sale are as follows:  

Intangible exploration and evaluation assets  
Property, plant and equipment 
Total assets classified as held for sale  
Provisions 
Total liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale  

Net assets of disposal group 

Note 19. Trade and other payables 
Current liabilities 

Trade payables 
Other payables 
Overlifts 
Accruals 
VAT and other similar taxes 
Current portion of finance lease 

Netherlands 
2015 
$m 

Netherlands
2014
$m

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

Notes 

22 

2015 
$m 

 24.0 
 61.2 
 3.7 
 993.3 
 26.9 
 1.5 

 40.4 
 95.2 
 135.6 
(13.6)
(13.6)

 122.0 

2014
$m

 126.5 
 104.6 
 15.6 
 734.8 
 92.1 
 1.3 

 1,110.6 

 1,074.9 

Payables related to operated joint ventures (primarily related to Ghana and Kenya) are recorded gross with the debit 
representing the partners’ share recognised in amounts due from joint venture partners (note 14). The decrease in  
trade payables and the decrease in other payables predominantly represent timing differences. 

Non-current liabilities 

Other non-current liabilities 
Non-current portion of finance lease 

Trade and other payables are non-interest bearing except for finance leases (note 22). 

Notes 

22 

2015 
$m 

 72.8 
 26.5 

2014
$m

 57.0 
 28.1 

 99.3 

 85.1 

140  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
140 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 20. Borrowings 

Current 
Short-term borrowings – Revolving Norwegian Exploration Finance facility 
Bank loans – Reserves Based Lending credit facility 

Non-current 
Term loans repayable – Reserves Based Lending credit facility 
– After one year but within two years 
– After two years but within five years 
– After five years 
6.0% Senior notes due 2020 
6.25% Senior notes due 2022 

Carrying value of total borrowings 

Unamortised fees 
External borrowings 

2015 
$m 

59.6 
14.2 
 73.8 

2014
$m

 131.5 
–
131.5

 800.0 
 2,165.6 
 – 
 646.4 
 650.4 
 4,262.4 
 4,336.2 

 38.8 
 4,375.0 

 – 
 1,914.0 
 – 
 645.5 
 649.6 
 3,209.1 
 3,340.6 

 81.3 
3,421.9

External borrowings represent the principal amount due at maturity. Short-term borrowings, bank loans and most 
guarantees are secured by fixed and floating charges over the oil and gas assets of the Group.  

In March 2015, the Company arranged an additional $200 million of commitments, increasing the Reserves Based 
Lending credit facility to $3.7 billion. The facility incurs interest on outstanding debt at Sterling or US dollar LIBOR  
plus an applicable margin. The outstanding debt is repayable in line with the amortisation of bank commitments over the 
period to the final maturity date of 31 October 2019, or such time as is determined by reference to the remaining reserves 
of the assets, whichever is earlier. 

In March 2015, the Company arranged an additional $250 million of commitments, increasing the Revolving credit facility 
to $1,000 million. The facility incurs interest on outstanding debt at US dollar LIBOR plus an applicable margin. 

In February 2015, the Company reduced commitments under the Revolving Norwegian Exploration Finance facility by NOK 
750 million to NOK 2,250 million. The facility is used to finance certain exploration activities on the Norwegian Continental 
Shelf which are eligible for a tax refund. The facility is available for drawings until 31 December 2016, and its final 
maturity date is either the date the 2016 tax reimbursement claims are received or 31 December 2017, whichever is the 
earlier. The facility incurs interest on outstanding debt at NIBOR plus an applicable margin. 

At the end of December 2015, the headroom under the three facilities amounted to $1,686 million; $686 million under  
the $3.7 billion Reserves Based Lending credit facility and $1,000 million under the Revolving credit facility. At the end  
of December 2014, the headroom under the three facilities amounted to $2,263 million; $1,513 million under the  
Reserves Based Lending credit facility and $750 million under the Revolving credit facility. 

Capital management  
The Group defines capital as the total equity of the Group. Capital is managed in order to provide returns for shareholders 
and benefits to stakeholders and to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Tullow is not subject to 
any externally-imposed capital requirements. To maintain or adjust the capital structure, the Group may put in place new 
debt facilities, issue new shares for cash, repay debt, engage in active portfolio management, adjust the dividend payment 
to shareholders, or undertake other such restructuring activities as appropriate. No significant changes were made to the 
capital management objectives, policies or processes during the year ended 31 December 2015.The Group monitors 
capital on the basis of the net debt ratio, that is, the ratio of net debt to equity. Net debt is calculated as external 
borrowings, as shown above, less cash and cash equivalents. 

External borrowings 
Less cash and cash equivalents 
Net debt 
Equity 
Net debt ratio 

Notes 

17 

2015 
$m 

 4,375.0 
(355.7)
 4,019.3 
3,174.7 
127% 

2014
$m

 3,421.9 
(319.0)
 3,102.9 
 4,020.3
77%

The movement from 2014 is attributable to higher external borrowings during 2015, principally as a result of the Group’s 
$2,112.4 million capital expenditure and loss incurred during 2015, partially offset by operating cash flows. 

www.tullowoil.com  141
www.tullowoil.com 141 

3 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 21. Financial instruments 
Financial risk management objectives 
The Group is exposed to a variety of risks including commodity price risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, foreign  
currency risk and liquidity risk. The Group holds a portfolio of commodity derivative contracts, with various  
counterparties, covering its underlying oil and gas businesses. The Group holds a mix of fixed and floating rate  
debt as well as a portfolio of interest rate derivatives. The use of derivative financial instruments (derivatives) is  
governed by the Group’s policies approved by the Board of Directors. Compliance with policies and exposure limits  
is monitored and reviewed internally on a regular basis. The Group does not enter into or trade financial instruments, 
including derivatives, for speculative purposes. 

Fair values of financial assets and liabilities 
With the exception of the senior notes, the Group considers the carrying value of all its financial assets and liabilities  
to be materially the same as their fair value. The fair value of the senior notes, as determined using market values at  
31 December 2015, was $884.0 million (2014: $1,101.3 million). The Group has no material financial assets that are  
past due. No financial assets are impaired at the balance sheet date. 

Fair values of derivative instruments 
All derivatives are recognised at fair value on the balance sheet with valuation changes recognised immediately in the 
income statement, unless the derivatives have been designated as a cash flow hedge. Fair value is the amount for which 
the asset or liability could be exchanged in an arm’s length transaction at the relevant date. Where available fair values 
are determined using quoted prices in active markets. To the extent that market prices are not available, fair values are 
estimated by reference to market-based transactions, or using standard valuation techniques for the applicable 
instruments and commodities involved. 

The Group’s derivative carrying and fair values were as follows: 

Assets/liabilities 
Cash flow hedges 
Oil derivatives 
Gas derivatives 
Interest rate derivatives 

Deferred premium 
Oil derivatives 
Gas derivatives 

Total assets 

Total liabilities 

2015
Less than
1 year
$m

 458.9 
 1.1 
(2.1)
 457.9 

2015
1-3
 years
 $m

 265.2 
 – 
 1.1 
 266.3 

2015
Total
$m

2014 
Less than 
1 year 
$m 

 724.1 
 1.1 
(1.0)
 724.2 

 329.4  
 2.5  
(3.3) 
 328.6  

2014 
1-3 
 years 
 $m 

 242.6 
 0.3 
 3.7 
 246.6 

2014
Total
$m

 572.0 
 2.8 
 0.4 
 575.2 

(53.5)
 – 
(53.5)

(47.6)
 – 
(47.6)

(101.1)
 – 
(101.1)

(51.0) 
(0.1) 
(51.1) 

(52.7)
 – 
(52.7)

(103.7)
(0.1)
(103.8)

 406.5 

 218.7 

 625.2 

 280.8  

 193.9 

 474.7 

(2.1)

 – 

(2.1)

(3.3) 

 – 

(3.3)

Derivatives’ maturity and the timing of their recycling into income or expense coincide. 

The following provides an analysis of the Group’s financial instruments measured at fair value, grouped into Levels  
1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable: 

Level 1: fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical  
assets or liabilities; 

Level 2: fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1  
which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and 

Level 3: fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques which include inputs for the asset  
or liability that are not based on observable market data. 

All the Group’s derivatives are Level 2 (2014: Level 2). There were no transfers between fair value levels during the year. 

For financial instruments which are recognised on a recurring basis, the Group determines whether transfers have 
occurred between levels by reassessing categorisation (based on the lowest-level input which is significant to the fair 
value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period. 

142  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
142 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Offset of financial assets and financial liabilities 
Deferred premiums on derivatives are settled at the same time as the maturity of the derivative contracts, with the cash 
flows settled on a net basis. Netting agreements are also in place to enable the Group and its counterparties to set-off 
liabilities against available assets in the event that either party is unable to fulfil its contractual obligations. The following 
table provides the offsetting relationship within assets and liabilities in the balance sheet. 

31 December 2015 
Derivative assets 
Derivative liabilities 
Deferred premiums 
Borrowings 

31 December 2014 
Derivative assets 
Derivative liabilities 
Deferred premiums 
Borrowings 

Gross 
amounts 
offset in 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m

(101.1)
–
101.1
–

Net amounts 
presented in 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

Related 
amounts not 
offset in the 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

625.2 
(2.1) 
– 
(4,336.2) 

(593.9)
– 
– 
593.9 

Net amount
$m

31.3
(2.1)
–
(3,742.3)

Gross 
amounts 
offset in 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m

(103.8)
–
103.8
–

Net amounts 
presented in 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

Related 
amounts not 
offset in the 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

474.7 
(3.3) 
– 
(3,340.6) 

(473.0)
– 
– 
473.0 

Net amount
$m

1.7
(3.3)
–
(2,867.6)

Gross 
amounts 
recognised 
$m

726.3
(2.1)
(101.1)
(4,336.2)

Gross 
amounts 
recognised 
$m

578.5
(3.3)
(103.8)
(3,340.6)

Commodity price risk 
The Group uses a number of derivatives to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with its underlying oil and gas 
revenues. Such commodity derivatives will tend to be priced using benchmarks, such as Dated Brent, D-1 Heren and  
M-1 Heren, which correlate as far as possible to the underlying oil and gas revenues respectively. The Group hedges its 
estimated oil and gas revenues on a portfolio basis, aggregating its oil revenues from substantially all of its African oil 
interests and its gas revenues from substantially all of its UK gas interests. 

As at 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014, all of the Group’s oil and gas derivatives have been designated as cash 
flow hedges. The Group’s oil and gas hedges have been assessed to be ‘highly effective’ within the range prescribed under 
IAS 39 using regression analysis. There is, however, the potential for a degree of ineffectiveness inherent in the Group’s 
oil hedges arising from, among other factors, the discount on the Group’s underlying African crude relative to Brent and 
the timing of oil liftings relative to the hedges. There is also the potential for a degree of ineffectiveness inherent in the 
Group’s gas hedges which arises from, among other factors, daily field production performance. 

Income statement hedge summary 
Net gains from commodity derivative settlements during the period, included in the income statement, were  
$365.2 million (2014: $14.5 million loss) (note 2). 

Derivative fair value movements during the year which have been recognised in the income statement were as follows:  

(Loss)/profit on hedging instruments: 
Cash flow hedges 
Gas derivatives 
Time value 

Oil derivatives 
Time value 

Total net (loss)/profit for the year in the income statement 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(0.2)
(0.2)

 0.9 
 0.9 

(58.6)
(58.6)

 49.9 
 49.9 

(58.8)

 50.8 

www.tullowoil.com  143
www.tullowoil.com 143 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 21. Financial instruments continued 
Hedge reserve summary 
The hedge reserve represents the portion of deferred gains and losses on hedging instruments deemed to be effective 
cash flow hedges. The movement in the reserve for the period is recognised in other comprehensive income. 

Deferred amounts in the hedge reserve 
At 1 January 
Revaluation gains arising in the year 
Reclassification adjustments for items included in income statement on realisation 
Movement in current and deferred tax 

At 31 December  

The following table summarises the hedge reserve by type of derivative, net of tax effects: 

Hedge reserve by derivative type 

Cash flow hedges 
Gas derivatives 
Oil derivatives 
Interest rate derivatives 

2015 
$m 

 401.6 
 513.0 
(302.4)
(42.3)
 168.3 
 569.9 

2014
$m

 2.3 
 485.7 
 4.6 
(91.0)
 399.3 
 401.6 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

 0.4 
 570.6 
(1.1)
 569.9 

 1.0 
 400.2 
 0.4 
 401.6 

Cash flow and interest rate risk  
Subject to parameters set by management the Group seeks to minimise interest costs by using a mixture of fixed and 
floating debt. Floating rate debt comprises bank borrowings at interest rates fixed in advance from overnight to three 
months at rates determined by US dollar LIBOR, Sterling LIBOR and Norwegian NIBOR. Fixed rate debt comprises  
senior notes, bank borrowings at interest rates fixed in advance for periods greater than three months or bank 
borrowings where the interest rate has been fixed through interest rate hedging. The Group hedges its floating interest 
rate exposure on an ongoing basis through the use of interest rate swaps. The mark-to-market position of the Group’s 
interest rate portfolio as at 31 December 2015 is a liability of $1.0 million (2014: $0.4 million asset). Interest rate hedges 
are included in fixed rate debt in the table below.  

The interest rate profile of the Group’s financial assets and liabilities, excluding trade and other receivables and trade  
and other payables, at 31 December 2015 and 2014 was as follows: 

US$ 
Euro 
Sterling 
Other 

2015  
Cash at bank 
$m 

2015
Fixed rate 
debt
$m

2015
Floating rate 
debt
$m

2015
Total
$m

2014
Cash at bank
$m

 258.2  
 28.4  
 19.1  
 50.0  
 355.7  

(1,600.0)
 – 
 – 
 – 
(1,600.0)

(2,557.3)
 – 
(156.9)
(60.8)
(2,775.0)

(3,899.1)
 28.4 
(137.8)
(10.8)
(4,019.3)

 216.6 
 16.8 
 20.6 
 65.0 
 319.0 

2014 
Fixed rate 
debt 
$m 

2014 
Floating rate 
debt 
$m 

(1,600.0) 
–  
 –  
 –  
(1,600.0) 

(1,522.4)
 – 
(164.6)
(134.9)
(1,821.9)

2014
Total
$m

(2,905.8)
 16.8 
(144.0)
(69.9)
(3,102.9)

Cash at bank consisted mainly of deposits which earn interest at rates set in advance for periods ranging from overnight 
to one month by reference to market rates. 

Credit risk 
The Group has a credit policy that governs the management of credit risk, including the establishment of counterparty 
credit limits and specific transaction approvals. The primary credit exposures for the Group are its receivables generated 
by the marketing of crude oil and amounts due from JV partners. These exposures are managed at the corporate level. 
The Group’s crude sales are predominantly made to international oil market participants including the oil majors, trading 
houses and refineries. JV partners are predominantly international major oil and gas market participants. Counterparty 
evaluations are conducted utilising international credit rating agency and financial assessment. Where considered 
appropriate security in the form of trade finance instruments such as letters of credit, guarantees and credit insurance 
are employed to mitigate the risks.  

The Group generally enters into derivative agreements with banks who are lenders under the Reserves Based Lending 
credit facility. Security is provided under the facility agreement which mitigates non-performance risk. The Group does 
not have any significant credit risk exposure to any single counterparty or any group of counterparties. The maximum 
financial exposure due to credit risk on the Group’s financial assets, representing the sum of cash and cash equivalents, 
investments, derivative assets, trade receivables, current tax assets and other current assets, as at 31 December 2015 
was $2,176.9 million (2014: $2,126.1 million). 

144  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
144 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency risk  
Wherever possible, the Group conducts and manages its business in Sterling (UK) and US dollars (all other countries),  
the operating currencies of the industry in the areas in which it operates. The Group’s borrowing facilities are also mainly 
denominated in Sterling and US dollars, which further assists in foreign currency risk management. From time to time 
the Group undertakes certain transactions denominated in other currencies. These exposures are often managed by 
executing foreign currency financial derivatives. There were no material foreign currency financial derivatives in place at 
the 2015 year-end (2014: nil). Cash balances are held in other currencies to meet immediate operating and administrative 
expenses or to comply with local currency regulations.  

As at 31 December 2015, the only material monetary assets or liabilities of the Group that were not denominated in the 
functional currency of the respective subsidiaries involved were $49.7 million in non-US dollar denominated cash and 
cash equivalents (2014: $54.3 million) and £106.0 million cash drawings under the Group’s borrowing facilities (2014: 
£106.0 million). The carrying amounts of the Group’s foreign currency denominated monetary assets and monetary 
liabilities at the reporting date are net liabilities of $107.2 million (2014: net liabilities of $110.4 million). 

Liquidity risk  
The Group manages its liquidity risk using both short- and long-term cash flow projections, supplemented by debt 
financing plans and active portfolio management. Ultimate responsibility for liquidity risk management rests with the 
Board of Directors, which has established an appropriate liquidity risk management framework covering the Group’s 
short-, medium- and long-term funding and liquidity management requirements. 

The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity risk. Cash forecasts are regularly produced and sensitivities run  
for different scenarios including, but not limited to, changes in commodity prices, different production rates from the 
Group’s producing assets and delays to development projects. In addition to the Group’s operating cash flows, portfolio 
management opportunities are reviewed to potentially enhance the financial capability and flexibility of the Group. In  
the currently low commodity price environment, the Group has taken appropriate action to reduce its cost base and had 
$1.9 billion of debt liquidity headroom at the end of 2015. The Group’s forecast, taking into account the risks described 
above, show that the Group will be able to operate within its current debt facilities and have sufficient financial headroom 
for the 12 months from the date of approval of the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts. 

The following table details the Group’s remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities with 
agreed repayment periods. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities 
based on the earliest date on which the Group can be required to pay. 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate

n/a
6.5%
6.5%

31 December 2015 
Non-interest bearing 
Finance lease liabilities 
Fixed interest rate instruments 

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

Variable interest rate instruments 

6.0%

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate

n/a
6.5%
6.5%

31 December 2014 
Non-interest bearing 
Finance lease liabilities 
Fixed interest rate instruments 

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

Variable interest rate instruments 

6.7%

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

Less than 
1 month
$m

1-3
months
$m

3 months 
to 1 year
$m

1-5 
years 
$m 

5+ 
years 
$m 

Total
$m

 46.9 
 0.3 

 47.4 
 0.8 

– 
 – 

 – 
 10.0 
 57.2 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 20.1 
 68.3 

 21.5 
 2.2 

– 
 79.6 

 –  
 14.5  

 72.8 
 21.3 

 188.6 
 39.1 

 650.0  
 318.5  

 650.0 
 60.9 

 1,300.0 
 459.0 

 75.0 
 90.1 
 268.4 

 3,000.0  
 206.0  
 4,189.0  

– 
 – 
 805.0 

 3,075.0 
 326.2 
 5,387.9 

Less than 
1 month
$m

1-3
months
$m

3 months 
to 1 year
$m

 234.2 
–

 40.0 
– 

–
–

–
–

 64.6 
 1.3 

–
 79.6 

1-5 
years 
$m 

 57.0  
 28.1  

5+ 
years 
$m 

Total
$m

 – 
 – 

 395.8 
 29.4 

– 
 318.5  

 1,300.0 
 160.9 

 1,300.0 
 559.0 

–
 6.6 
 240.8 

–
 13.2 
 53.2 

 134.9 
 63.1 
 343.5 

 1,987.0  
 372.3  
 2,762.9  

– 
– 
 1,460.9 

 2,121.9 
 455.2 
 4,861.3 

The Group has interest rate swaps that fix $300.0 million (2014: $300.0 million) of variable interest rate risk. The impact  
of these derivatives on the classification of fixed and variable rate instruments has been excluded from the above tables. 

www.tullowoil.com  145
www.tullowoil.com 145 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 21. Financial instruments continued 
Sensitivity analysis 
The following analysis is intended to illustrate sensitivity to changes in market variables, being interest rates, Dated  
Brent oil prices, UK D-1 Heren and M-1 Heren natural gas prices and US dollar exchange rates. The analysis is used 
internally by management to monitor derivatives and assesses the financial impact of reasonably possible movements  
in key variables. 

Interest rate 
Interest rate 
Brent oil price 
Brent oil price 
UK D-1 Heren and M-1 Heren natural gas price 
UK D-1 Heren and M-1 Heren natural gas price 
US$/foreign currency exchange rates 
US$/foreign currency exchange rates 

Equity 

Foreign currency 
denominated liabilities  
and equity 

Market movement

25 basis points
(25) basis points
50%
(50%)
50%
(50%)
20%
(20%)

2015
$m

2.0
(2.1)
(441.1)
564.1
(0.6)
0.6
–
–

2014 
$m 

3.0 
(3.0) 
(512.3) 
833.5 
(2.6) 
7.8 
– 
– 

2015 
$m 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
(31.4)
31.4 

2014
$m

–
–
–
–
–
–
(32.9)
32.9

The following assumptions have been used in calculating the sensitivity in movement of oil and gas prices; the pricing 
adjustments relate only to the point forward mark-to-market (MTM) valuations, the price sensitivities assume there is  
no ineffectiveness related to the oil and gas hedges and the sensitivities have been run only on the intrinsic element of  
the hedge as management consider this to be the material component of oil and gas hedge valuations. 

Note 22. Obligations under finance leases 

Amounts payable under finance leases: 
– Within one year 
– Within two to five years 
– After five years 

Less future finance charges 

Present value of lease obligations 

Amount due for settlement within 12 months 

Amount due for settlement after 12 months 

Notes 

2015 
$m 

 3.3 
14.5 
 21.3 

 39.1 
(11.1)

2014
$m

3.2
14.1
24.9

42.2
(12.8)

 28.0 

 29.4 

 1.5 

 1.3 

 26.5 

 28.1 

19 

19 

The Group’s only finance lease is the Espoir FPSO (2014: Espoir FPSO). The fair value of the Group’s lease obligations 
approximates the carrying amount. The average remaining lease term as at 31 December 2015 was 11 years  
(2014: 12 years). For the year ended 31 December 2015, the effective borrowing rate was 6.5% (2014: 6.5%). 

146  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
146 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 23. Provisions 

Current provisions 
Provision for onerous service contracts 
Provision for restructuring costs 

2015 
$m 

 185.5 
 1.5 

 187.0 

2014
$m

–
–

–

Due to the reduction in planned future work programmes the Group has identified a number of onerous service contracts. 
The expected unutilised capacity has been provided for in 2015 resulting in an income statement charge of $185.5 million 
(2014:$nil million). 

During 2015, the Group has incurred $44.9 million in respect of restructuring costs. After recharges to joint venture 
partners, the income statement charge for restructuring costs is $40.8 million. As at 31 December 2015, $1.5 million  
is yet to be incurred and has been recorded as a provision. 

Non-current provisions 
At 1 January 
New provisions and changes  
in estimates  
Transfer to liabilities held for sale 
Disposals 
Decommissioning payments 
Unwinding of discount  
Currency translation adjustment 

At 31 December 

Decommissioning
2015
$m

Notes 

Other 
provisions
2015
$m

Total
2015
$m

Decommissioning 
2014 
$m 

Other 
provisions 
2014 
$m 

Total
2014
$m

 1,192.9 

 67.5 

 1,260.4 

 841.5  

 147.7 

 989.2 

18 

5 

(147.4)
 – 
 0.8 
(40.8)
 28.3 
(25.0)
 1,008.8 

(9.9)
 – 
 0.3 
 – 
 0.1 
(1.7)
 56.3 

(157.3)
 – 
 1.1 
(40.8)
 28.4 
(26.7)
 1,065.1 

 454.9  
(14.8) 
(54.6) 
(20.4) 
 22.4  
(36.1) 
 1,192.9  

(82.1)
– 
 – 
 – 
 16.9 
(15.0)
 67.5 

 372.8 
(14.8)
(54.6)
(20.4)
 39.3 
(51.1)
 1,260.4 

The decommissioning provision represents the present value of decommissioning costs relating to the European  
and African oil and gas interests.  

Congo 
Côte d'Ivoire  
Equatorial Guinea 
Gabon 
Ghana 
Mauritania 
Netherlands 
UK 

Inflation 
assumption

Discount rate 
assumption

Cessation of 
production 
assumption 

2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%
2%

2027 
3%
3%
2026 
3% 2028-2029 
3% 2021-2034 
3% 2034-3036 
3%
2017 
3% 2020-2036 
3% 2014-2018 

2015 
$m 

 15.2 
 53.3 
 126.2 
 61.0 
 257.7 
 121.4 
 90.5 
 283.5 
 1,008.8 

2014
$m

13.4
52.7
175.8
107.1
278.3
113.3
100.7
351.6
 1,192.9 

Other provisions include a liability acquired through the acquisition of Spring which is contingent in terms of timing and 
amount on the development of the PL407 licence in Norway. Other provisions also include the contingent consideration  
in respect of the Spring acquisition and the recognition of intangible exploration and evaluation assets therefore the 
unwinding of other provisions is adjusted to exploration and evaluation assets and not finance costs.  

www.tullowoil.com  147
www.tullowoil.com 147 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 24. Deferred taxation 

At 1 January 2014 
Credit/(charge) to income statement 
Credit to other comprehensive income 
Exchange differences 
At 1 January 2015 
Credit to income statement 
Credit to other comprehensive income 
Exchange differences 

Accelerated 
tax 
depreciation
$m

(1,801.4)
 255.2 
–
 65.8 
(1,480.4)
 218.2 
 – 
 37.8 

Decommissioning
$m

Revaluation 
of financial 
assets
$m

Other 
temporary 
differences 
$m 

Deferred 
PRT 
$m 

 137.4 
 3.9 
–
(9.5)
 131.8 
 37.7 
 – 
(6.7)

 0.5 
(0.5)
(1.6)
– 
(1.6)
 0.2 
 0.9 
 – 

 69.2  
 22.5  
– 
(0.8) 
 90.9  
 91.0  
 –  
 0.4  

 7.4 
(0.3)
–
(0.4)
 6.7 
 4.4 
 – 
(0.5)

Total
$m

(1,586.9)
 280.8 
(1.6)
 55.1 
(1,252.6)
 351.5 
 0.9 
 31.0 

At 31 December 2015 

(1,224.4)

 162.8 

(0.5)

 182.3  

 10.6 

(869.2)

Deferred tax liabilities 
Deferred tax assets 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

(1,164.5)
 295.3 

(1,507.6)
 255.0 

(869.2)

(1,252.6)

No deferred tax has been provided on unremitted earnings of overseas subsidiaries, as the Group has no plans to remit 
these to the UK in the foreseeable future. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent it is considered probable 
that those assets will be recoverable. This involves an assessment of when those deferred tax assets are likely to reverse, 
and a judgement as to whether or not there will be sufficient taxable profits available to offset the tax assets when they  
do reverse. This requires assumptions regarding future profitability and is therefore inherently uncertain. To the extent 
assumptions regarding future profitability change, there can be an increase or decrease in the level of deferred tax  
assets recognised which can result in a charge or credit in the period in which the change occurs. 

Note 25. Called up equity share capital and share premium account 
Allotted equity share capital and share premium 

Ordinary shares of 10 pence each 
At 1 January 2014 
Issued during the year  
– Exercise of share options 
At 1 January 2015 
Issued during the year  
– Exercise of share options 

At 31 December 2015 

The Company does not have an authorised share capital. 

Equity share capital 
allotted and fully paid 

Share 
premium

Number 

$m 

$m

 909,971,941  

146.9 

603.2

 689,690  
910,661,631 

0.1 
147.0 

3.2
606.4

 915,075  

0.2 

3.4

911,576,706 

147.2 

609.8

148  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
148 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 26. Non-controlling interest 

At 1 January  
Share of loss for the year 
Distribution to non-controlling interests 

At 31 December 

2015 
$m 

 24.3 
(2.1)
(2.4)

2014
$m

 123.5 
(84.2)
(15.0)

 19.8 

 24.3 

The non-controlling interest relates to Tulipe Oil SA (Tulipe), where the Group has a 50% controlling shareholding whose 
place of business is Gabon. The loss associated with non-controlling interests is principally as a result of impairments 
recorded against property, plant and equipment. 

Note 27. Share-based payments  
Reconciliation of share-based payment charge 

Tullow Incentive Plan 
2005 Performance Share Plan  
2005 Deferred Share Bonus Plan 
Employee Share Award Plan 
2010 Share Option Plan and 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme 
UK & Irish Share Incentive 

Total share-based payment charge 
Capitalised to intangible and tangible assets 
Expensed to operating costs 
Expensed as administrative cost 

Notes 

4 
4 

2015 
$m 

 12.3 
 7.9 
 1.0 
 30.8 
 14.8 
 0.5 

 67.3 
 18.6 
 0.8 
 47.9 

2014
$m

 5.2 
 19.0 
 2.3 
 10.4 
 21.6 
 1.0 

 59.5 
 20.0 
 1.6 
 37.9 

Total share-based payment charge 

 67.3 

59.5

Tullow Incentive Plan (TIP) 
Under the TIP, Senior Management can be granted nil exercise price options, normally exercisable from three (five years 
in the case of the Company’s Directors) to ten years following grant provided an individual remains in employment. The 
size of awards depends on both annual performance measures and Total Shareholder Return (TSR) over a period of up  
to three years. There are no post-grant performance conditions. No dividends are paid over the vesting period, however 
an amount equivalent to the dividends that would have been paid on the TIP shares during the vesting period if they  
were ‘real’ shares, will also be payable on exercise of the award. There are further details of the TIP in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 90 to 106. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life for TIP awards outstanding at 31 December 2015 was 6.9 years. 

2005 Performance Share Plan (PSP) 
Under the PSP, Senior Management could be granted nil exercise price options, normally exercisable between three and  
ten years following grant. Awards made before 8 March 2010 were made as conditional awards to acquire free shares  
on vesting. To provide flexibility to participants, those awards were converted into nil exercise price options. Awards vest 
subject to a Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance condition, 50% (70% for awards granted to Directors in 2013, 
2012 and 2011) of an award is tested against a comparator group of oil and gas companies. The remaining 50% (30%  
for awards granted to Directors in 2013, 2012 and 2011) is tested against constituents of the FTSE 100 index (excluding 
investment trusts). Performance is measured over a fixed three-year period starting on 1 January prior to grant, and  
an individual must normally remain in employment for three years from grant for the shares to vest. No dividends  
are paid over the vesting period. There are further details of PSP award performance measurement in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report on pages 90 to 106. From 2014, senior executives participate in the TIP instead of the PSP. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life for PSP awards outstanding at 31 December 2015 was 4.8 years. 

www.tullowoil.com  149
www.tullowoil.com 149 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 27. Share-based payments continued  
2005 Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DSBP) 
Under the DSBP, the portion of any annual bonus above 75% of the base salary of a senior executive nominated by the 
Remuneration Committee was deferred into shares. Awards normally vest following the end of three financial years 
commencing with that in which they were granted. They were granted as nil exercise price options, normally exercisable 
from when they vest until ten years from grant. Awards granted before 8 March 2010 as conditional awards to acquire  
free shares were converted into nil exercise price options to provide flexibility to participants. A dividend equivalent is  
paid over the period from grant to vesting. From 2014, senior executives participate in the TIP instead of the DSBP. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life for DSBP awards outstanding at 31 December 2015 was 5.6 years. 

Employee Share Award Plan (ESAP) 
Most Group employees are eligible to be granted nil exercise price options under the ESAP. These are normally 
exercisable from three to ten years following grant. An individual must normally remain in employment for three  
years from grant for the share to vest. Awards are not subject to post-grant performance conditions.  

Phantom options that provide a cash bonus equivalent to the gain that could be made from a share option (being granted 
over a notional number of shares) have also been granted under the ESAP in situations where the grant of share options 
was not practicable. 

The weighted average remaining contractual life for ESAP awards outstanding at 31 December 2015 was 8.8 years. 

2010 Share Option Plan (2010 SOP) and 2000 Executive Share Option Scheme (2000 ESOS) 
Participation in the 2010 SOP and 2000 ESOS was available to most of the Group’s employees. Options have an exercise 
price equal to market value shortly before grant and are normally exercisable between three and ten years from the  
date of the grant subject to continuing employment. 

Options granted prior to 2011 were granted under the 2000 ESOS where exercise was subject to a performance condition. 
Performance was measured against constituents of the FTSE 100 index (excluding investment trusts). 100% of awards 
vested if the Company’s TSR was above the median of the index companies over three years from grant. The 2010 SOP 
was replaced by the ESAP for grants from 2014. During 2013 phantom options were granted under the 2010 SOP to 
replace certain options granted under the 2000 ESOS that lapsed as a result of performance conditions not being 
satisfied. These replacement phantom options provide a cash bonus equivalent to the gain that could be made from a 
share option (being granted over a notional number of shares with a notional exercise price). Phantom options have also 
been granted under the 2010 SOP and the 2000 ESOS in situations where the grant of share options was not practicable. 

Options outstanding at 31 December 2015 had exercise prices of 349p to 1530p (2014: 157p to 1530p) and remaining 
contractual lives between nine days and eight years. The weighted average remaining contractual life is 4.3 years. 

UK & Irish Share Incentive Plans (SIPs) 
These are all-employee plans set up in the UK and Ireland, to enable employees to save out of salary up to prescribed 
monthly limits. Contributions are used by the SIP trustees to buy Tullow shares (‘Partnership Shares’) at the end of each 
three-month accumulation period. The Company makes a matching contribution to acquire Tullow shares (‘Matching 
Shares’) on a one-for-one basis. Under the UK SIP, Matching Shares are subject to time-based forfeiture over three  
years on leaving employment in certain circumstances or if the related Partnership Shares are sold. The fair value  
of a Matching Share is its market value when it is awarded. 

Under the UK SIP: (i) Partnership Shares are purchased at the lower of their market values at the start of the 
accumulation period and the purchase date (which is treated as a three-month share option for IFRS 2 purposes  
and therefore results in an accounting charge), and (ii) Matching Shares vest over the three years after being awarded 
(resulting in their accounting charge being spread over that period). Under the Irish SIP: (i) Partnership Shares are  
bought at the market value at the purchase date (which does not result in any accounting charge), and (ii) Matching 
Shares vest over the two years after being awarded (resulting in their accounting charge being spread over that period). 

150  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
150 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
The following table illustrates the number and average weighted share price (“WAEP”) at grant or WAEP of, and 
movements in, share options under the TIP, PSP, DSBP, ESAP and 2010 SOP / 2000 ESOS 

Outstanding 
as at
1 January

Granted 
during the 
year

Exercised 
during the 
year

Forfeited/ 
expired 
during the 
year 

Outstanding 
at  
31 December 

Exercisable at 
31 December

2015 TIP– number of shares 
2015 TIP – average weighted share price at grant
2014 TIP– number of shares 
2014 TIP – average weighted share price at grant
2015 PSP – number of shares  
2015 PSP – average weighted share price  
at grant 
2014 PSP – number of shares  
2014 PSP – average weighted share price  
at grant 
2015 DSBP – number of shares  
2015 DSBP – average weighted share price  
at grant 
2014 DSBP – number of shares  
2014 DSBP – average weighted share price  
at grant 
2015 ESAP– number of shares 
2015 ESAP – average weighted share price  
at grant 
2014 ESAP– number of shares 
2014 ESAP – average weighted share price  
at grant 
2015 SOP/ESOS – number of shares  
2015 SOP/ESOS – WAEP 
2014 SOP/ESOS – number of shares  
2014 SOP/ESOS – WAEP 
2015 Phantoms – number of phantom shares 
2015 Phantoms – WAEP 
2014 Phantoms – number of phantom shares 
2014 Phantoms – WAEP 

1,580,577 2,436,183
406.1
1,611,122
782.0
–
–

782.0
–
–
6,972,729
1230.2

673.0 

–
–
–
–

(215,334)  3,801,426 
547.3 
(30,545)  1,580,577 
782.0 

820,010
552.7
–
–
(223,711) (2,540,156)  4,208,862  1,814,024
997.7

1125.7 

1433.0 

782.0 

892.4

9,392,763

3,500

(37,319)

(2,386,215)  6,972,729  1,528,876

1256.8
491,916
1240.0

753.0
–
–

926.7
(25,819)
1480.0

1338.9 
– 
– 

1230.2 
466,097 
1226.7 

896.8
315,589
1219.9

503,224

–

(11,308)

– 

491,916 

190,882

1242.7

–
3,306,981 15,516,608
304.2

779.7

1362.0

1240.0 
(155,107) (1,600,574) 17,067,908 
380.7 

429.0 

730.3

– 

1049.9
651,595
688.7

–

3,494,417

–

(187,436)  3,306,981 

9,621

–
16,343,605
1128.8
18,129,299
1109.2
2,229,052
1274.5
2,417,507
1274.5

779.9
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–

782.0 

779.7 

1160.9 

1149.6 

782.0
(531,106) (1,346,488) 14,466,011  9,894,040
1139.3
(1,133,323)  16,343,605  7,184,988
913.5
(710,613)  1,518,439  1,518,439
1274.5
1274.5 
(188,455)  2,229,052  2,229,052
1274.5

201.8
(652,371)
269.4
–
–
–
–

1274.6 

1310.3 

1128.8 

1274.5 

1275.3 

The options granted during the year were valued using a proprietary binomial valuation. 

www.tullowoil.com  151
www.tullowoil.com 151 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 27. Share-based payments continued  
The following table details the weighted average fair value of awards granted and the assumptions used in the fair value 
expense calculations. 

Weighted average fair value  
of awards granted 
Weighted average share price at exercise for awards exercised 
Principal inputs to options valuations model: 
Weighted average share price at grant 
Weighted average exercise price 
Risk-free interest rate per annum 
Expected volatility per annum1 
Expected award life (years)2 
Dividend yield per annum 
Employee turnover before vesting  
per annum3 

2015 TIP

2015 ESAP 

2014 TIP 

2014 ESAP

406.1p
–

304.2p 
319.0 

782.0p 
– 

744.7p
–

406.1p
0.0p

782.0p 
0.0p 

304.2p 
0.0p 

779.9p
0.0p
0.9 – 1.3% 0.5 – 1.0%  1.1 – 1.5%  1.1 – 1.4%
32 – 36% 32 – 41%  33 – 34%  32 – 34%
3.1 
3.0
n/a  1.5 – 1.7%

2.2 
0.0% 

3.3
n/a

5% / 0%

5% 

5% / 0% 

5%

1.  Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Company’s share price over a period commensurate with the expected  

life of the awards. 

2.  The expected life is the average expected period from date of grant to exercise allowing for the Company’s best estimate of participants’  

expected exercise behaviour. 

3.  Zero turnover is assumed for TIP awards made to executives and Directors, 5% per annum for TIP awards to senior management. 

Weighted average share price at exercise 
for awards exercised 

294.5p

728.7p

384.6p

792.5p 

409.0p 

752.8p

2015
PSP

2014 
PSP

2015
DSBP

2014 
DSBP 

2015 
SOP/ESOS1 

2014
SOP/ESOS1

1.  Includes the replacement phantom awards made during 2013. 

Note 28. Commitments and contingencies 

Capital commitments 
Operating lease commitments 
Due within one year 
After one year but within two years 
After two years but within five years 
Due after five years 

Contingent liabilities 
Performance guarantees 
Ugandan CGT 
Other contingent liabilities 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

1,614.5 

2,457.8

 8.4  
 8.4  
 25.2  
 39.3  
 81.3  

 21.6 
 22.7 
 40.2 
 10.4 
 94.9 

 130.9  
 –  
 32.0  

 288.7 
 265.3 
 1.9 

 162.9  

 555.9 

Where Tullow acts as operator of a joint venture the capital commitments reported represent Tullow’s net share.  
Where Tullow is non-operator the value of capital commitments is based on committed future work programmes.  
Capital commitments excludes future payments of $2,074.1 million (gross) in relation to the TEN FPSO which will  
be accounted for as a finance lease. 

Operating lease payments represent rentals payable by the Group for certain of its office properties and a lease for  
an FPSO vessel for use on the Chinguetti field in Mauritania. Leases on office properties are negotiated for an average  
of six years and rentals are fixed for an average of six years. 

Performance guarantees are in respect of abandonment obligations, committed work programmes and certain  
financial obligations. 

152  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
152 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 29. Related party transactions 
The Directors of Tullow Oil plc are considered to be the only key management personnel as defined by IAS 24 – Related  
Party Disclosures.  

Short-term employee benefits 
Post-employment benefits 
Amounts awarded under long-term incentive schemes 
Share-based payments 

2015 
$m 

10.0 
1.1 
4.2 
5.7 

21.0 

2014
$m

9.5
1.2
3.3
10.4

24.4

Short-term employee benefits 
These amounts comprise fees paid to the Directors in respect of salary and benefits earned during the relevant financial 
year, plus bonuses awarded for the year. 

Post-employment benefits 
These amounts comprise amounts paid into the pension schemes of the Directors. 

Amounts awarded under long-term incentive schemes 
These amounts relate to the shares granted under the annual bonus scheme that are deferred for three years under  
the Deferred Share Bonus Plan (DSBP) and Tullow Incentive Plan (TIP). 

Share-based payments 
This is the cost to the Group of Directors’ participation in share-based payment plans, as measured by the fair value  
of options and shares granted, accounted for in accordance with IFRS 2 – Share-based Payments. 

There are no other related party transactions. Further details regarding transactions with the Directors of Tullow Oil plc 
are disclosed in the Directors’ Remuneration Report on pages 90 to 106. 

Note 30. Subsequent events 
In January 2016 Tullow completed the farm-down of 25% of its interest in block 12A to Delonex and Tullow also agreed  
to sell a 20% interest in the Bannu West licence in Pakistan to Mari Gas. Tullow was awarded a 60% operated interest  
in the Orinduik licence in January 2016, a 1,801 square kilometre block offshore Guyana. On 23 January 2016, the  
TEN FPSO set sail from Singapore to Ghana with arrival expected in early March 2016. 

Subsequent to the balance sheet date there has been a deterioration in the spot price of Brent crude. Sensitivity  
analysis on the impact of a reduction in Brent crude prices on the carrying value of PP&E is provided in note 12.  

Note 31. Pension schemes  
The Group operates defined contribution pension schemes for staff and Executive Directors. The contributions are  
payable to external funds which are administered by independent trustees. Contributions during the year amounted to 
$20.5 million (2014: $19.6 million). As at 31 December 2015, there was a liability of $nil million (2014: $ nil million) for 
contributions payable included in other payables. 

www.tullowoil.com  153
www.tullowoil.com 153 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes

2015 
$m 

2014 
$m 

2013
$m

1
7

4
7

5
6

6
8

9
9

4,885.4  
 217.6  
5,103.0 

4,919.6 
– 
4,919.6 

 3,851.4 
–
3,851.4

 3,475.5  
405.4 
 3.4  
 3,884.3  

3,706.0 
– 
3.6 
3,709.6 

 3,602.6 
–
 0.9 
 3,603.5 

8,987.3 

8,629.2 

7,454.9

 (722.5) 
 (14.2) 

(236.1)
– 

 (181.9)
–

 (736.7) 

(236.1)

 (181.9)

(4,262.4) 
– 
(4,262.4) 

(3,209.1)
– 
(3,209.1)

 (1,995.0)
 (1.3)
(1,996.3)

(4,999.1) 

(3,445.2)

(2,178.2)

3,988.2  

5,184.0 

5,276.7

 147.2  
 609.8  
 850.8  
 2,380.4  

147.0 
606.4 
850.8 
3,579.8 

 146.9 
 603.2 
 850.8 
 3,675.8 

 3,988.2  

5,184.0 

 5,276.7

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMPANY BALANCE SHEET 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 

ASSETS 
Non-current assets 
Investments 
Intercompany derivative asset 

Current assets 
Other current assets 
Intercompany derivative asset 
Cash at bank 

Total assets 
LIABILITIES 
Current liabilities 
Trade and other creditors 
Borrowings 

Non-current liabilities 
Borrowings 
Loans to subsidiaries 

Total liabilities 

Net assets 

Capital and reserves 
Called-up share capital 
Share premium  
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

Total equity 

Approved by the Board and authorised for issue on 9 February 2016.  

Aidan Heavey 
Chief Executive Officer 

Ian Springett 
Chief Financial Officer 

154  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
154 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
COMPANY STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 

At 1 January 2014 
Profit for the year  
Issue of employee share options  
Vesting of PSP shares 
Share-based payment charges  
Dividends paid 
At 1 January 2015 
Loss for the year  
Issue of employee share options  
Vesting of PSP shares 
Share-based payment charges  

Share
capital
$m 

146.9
–
0.1
–
–
–
147.0
 – 
 0.2 
 – 
 – 

Share 
premium 
$m

Other 
reserves  
$m 

Retained 
earnings 
$m 

Total
equity 
$m

603.2
–
3.2
–
–
–
606.4
 – 
 3.4 
 – 
 – 

850.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
850.8 
 –  
 –  
 –  
 –  

3,675.8 
27.3 
– 
(0.4)
59.4 
(182.3)
3,579.8 
 (1,264.8)
 – 
 (1.9) 
 67.3 

5,276.7
27.3
3.3
(0.4)
59.4
(182.3)
5,184.0
 (1,264.8)
 3.6 
 (1.9)
 67.3 

At 31 December 2015 

 147.2 

 609.8 

 850.8  

 2,380.4 

 3,988.2 

www.tullowoil.com  155
www.tullowoil.com 155 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COMPANY ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2015 

(a) General information 
Tullow Oil plc is a company incorporated in the United 
Kingdom under the Companies Act. The address of the 
registered office is given on page 111. The Financial 
Statements are presented in US dollars and all values  
are rounded to the nearest $0.1 million, except where 
otherwise stated. Tullow Oil plc is the ultimate parent  
of the Tullow Oil Group. 

(b) Basis of accounting  
The Company meets the definition of a qualifying entity 
under FRS 100 (Financial Reporting Standard 100) issued 
by the Financial Reporting Council. Accordingly, in the year 
ended 31 December 2015 the Company has undergone 
transition from reporting under UK Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice (UK GAAP) to FRS 101 as issued by  
the Financial Reporting Council. The Financial Statements 
have therefore been prepared in accordance with FRS 101 
(Financial Reporting Standard 101) ‘Reduced Disclosure 
Framework’ as issued by the Financial Reporting Council. 
On transition to FRS 101 the Company has applied 
paragraphs 6-33 of IFRS 1 as adopted by the EU, this 
transition is not considered to have had a material effect  
on the Financial Statements. 

As permitted by FRS 101, the Company has taken 
advantage of the disclosure exemptions available under 
that standard in relation to share-based payments, 
financial instruments, capital management, presentation  
of comparative information in respect of certain assets, 
presentation of an income statement, presentation  
of a cash-flow statement, standards not yet effective, 
impairment of assets and related party transactions. 
Where relevant, equivalent disclosures have been given  
in the Group accounts. 

The Financial Statements have been prepared on the 
historical cost basis, except for derivative financial 
instruments that have been measured at fair value. 

During the year the Company made a loss of 
$1,264.8 million (2014: $27.3 million profit). 

(c) Going concern 
The Group closely monitors and manages its liquidity  
risk. Cash forecasts are regularly produced and 
sensitivities run for different scenarios including,  
but not limited to, changes in commodity prices, different 
production rates from the Group’s producing assets and 
delays to development projects. In addition to the Group’s 
operating cash flows, portfolio management opportunities 
are reviewed to potentially enhance the financial capability 
and flexibility of the Group. In the currently low commodity 
price environment, the Group has taken appropriate action 
to reduce its cost base and had $1.9 billion of debt liquidity 
headroom and free cash at the end of 2015. The Group’s 
forecast, taking into account the risks described above, 
show that the Group will be able to operate within its 
current debt facilities and have sufficient financial 
headroom for the 12 months from the date of approval  
of the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts. 

Notwithstanding our forecasts of liquidity headroom 
throughout the 12 month period, there remains a risk, 
given the volatility of the oil price environment and its 
impact on operating cash flows and facility availability,  
that the Group’s liquidity position may deteriorate and/or 
the Group may become technically non-compliant with  
one of its financial covenants at the end of 2016.  

156  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
156 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

To mitigate this risk, we will continue to maintain our  
long-term banking relations and will monitor our cash  
flow projections and, if necessary, take mitigating actions 
well in advance to maintain our liquidity and compliance 
with covenants. Actions available to the Group include 
further rationalisation of our cost base, cuts to 
discretionary capital expenditure, portfolio  
management and other funding options. 

Based on the analysis above, the Directors have a 
reasonable expectation that the Company has adequate 
resources to continue in operational existence for the 
foreseeable future. Thus they continue to adopt the going 
concern basis of accounting in preparing the annual 
Financial Statements. 

(d) Foreign currencies 
The US dollar is the reporting currency of the Company. 
Transactions in foreign currencies are translated at the  
rates of exchange ruling at the transaction date. Monetary 
assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are 
translated into US dollars at the rates of exchange ruling  
at the balance sheet date, with a corresponding charge  
or credit to the income statement. However, exchange 
gains and losses arising on long-term foreign currency 
borrowings, which are a hedge against the Company’s 
overseas investments, are dealt with in reserves. 

(e) Investments 
Fixed asset investments, including investments in 
subsidiaries, are stated at cost and reviewed for 
impairment if there are indications that the carrying  
value may not be recoverable. 

(f) Derivative financial instruments  
The Company uses derivative financial instruments  
to manage the Group’s exposure to fluctuations in 
movements in oil and gas prices. 

Derivative financial instruments are stated at fair value. 

The purpose for which a derivative is used is established  
at inception. To qualify for hedge accounting, the derivative 
must be highly effective in achieving its objective and  
this effectiveness must be documented at inception and 
throughout the period of the hedge relationship. The hedge 
must be assessed on an ongoing basis and determined  
to have been highly effective throughout the financial 
reporting periods for which the hedge was designated. 

For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified  
as either fair value hedges, when they hedge the exposure  
to changes in the fair value of a recognised asset or liability, 
or cash flow hedges, where they hedge exposure to 
variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a 
particular risk associated with a recognised asset or 
liability or forecast transaction. 

In relation to fair value hedges which meet the conditions  
for hedge accounting, any gain or loss from re-measuring  
the derivative and the hedged item at fair value is 
recognised immediately in the income statement. Any  
gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged 
risk is adjusted against the carrying amount of the hedged 
item and recognised in the income statement. 

For cash flow hedges, the portion of the gains and losses 
on the hedging instrument that is determined to be an 
effective hedge is taken to other comprehensive income 
and the ineffective portion, as well as any change in time 

value, is recognised in the income statement. The gains 
and losses taken to other comprehensive income are 
subsequently transferred to the income statement during 
the period in which the hedged transaction affects the 
income statement. A similar treatment applies to foreign 
currency loans which are hedges of the Group’s net 
investment in the net assets of a foreign operation. 

Gains or losses on derivatives that do not qualify for hedge 
accounting treatment (either from inception or during the 
life of the instrument) are taken directly to the income 
statement in the period. 

(g) Financial liabilities and equity instruments 
Financial liabilities and equity instruments are  
classified according to the substance of the contractual 
arrangements entered into. An equity instrument is any 
contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets  
of the Group after deducting all of its liabilities. 

(h) Share issue expenses  
Costs of share issues are written off against the premium 
arising on the issues of share capital. 

(i) Finance costs of debt 
Finance costs of debt are recognised in the profit and loss 
account over the term of the related debt at a constant  
rate on the carrying amount.  

Interest-bearing borrowings are recorded as the proceeds 
received, net of direct issue costs. Finance charges, 
including premiums payable on settlement or redemption 
and direct issue costs, are accounted for on an accruals 
basis in the income statement using the effective interest 
method and are added to the carrying amount of the 
instrument to the extent that they are not settled in  
the period in which they arise. 

(j) Taxation 
Current and deferred tax, including UK corporation tax  
and overseas corporation tax, are provided at amounts 
expected to be paid using the tax rates and laws that have 
been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance  
sheet date. Deferred corporation tax is recognised on  
all temporary differences that have originated but not 
reversed at the balance sheet date where transactions  
or events that result in an obligation to pay more, or right 
to pay less, tax in the future have occurred at the balance 
sheet date. Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the 
extent that it is considered more likely than not that there 
will be suitable taxable profits from which the underlying 
temporary differences can be deducted. Deferred tax is 
measured on a non-discounted basis. 

Deferred tax is provided on temporary differences arising 
on acquisitions that are categorised as Business 
Combinations. Deferred tax is recognised at acquisition  
as part of the assessment of the fair value of assets and 
liabilities acquired. Any deferred tax is charged or credited  
in the income statement as the underlying temporary 
difference is reversed.  

In order to account for uncertain tax positions 
management has formed an accounting policy, in 
accordance with IAS 8, whereby the ultimate outcome  
of legal proceedings is viewed as a single unit of account. 
The results of separate hearings in relation to the same 
matter, such as local tribunals and international 
arbitration, are not viewed separately and only the final 

outcome is assessed by management to determine the 
best estimate of any potential outcome. If management 
viewed the results of individual hearings separately an 
income statement charge could arise due to the differing 
recognition criteria of assets and liabilities. 

(k) Capital management 
The Company defines capital as the total equity of the 
Company. Capital is managed in order to provide returns 
for shareholders and benefits to stakeholders and to 
safeguard the Company’s ability to continue as a going 
concern. Tullow is not subject to any externally imposed 
capital requirements. To maintain or adjust the capital 
structure, the Company may adjust the dividend payment  
to shareholders, return capital, issue new shares for cash, 
repay debt, and put in place new debt facilities.  

(l) Critical accounting judgements and key sources of 
estimation uncertainty 
•  Financial instruments (note 7) 

Some of the Company's assets and liabilities are measured 
at fair value for financial reporting purposes. The Directors 
of the Company have determined appropriate valuation 
techniques and inputs for fair value measurements.  

In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the 
Company uses market-observable data to the extent it  
is available. Where Level 1 inputs are not available, fair 
values are estimated by reference to market-based 
transactions, or using standard valuation techniques for 
the applicable instruments and commodities involved. 

•  Investments (note 1) 

The Company is required to assess the carrying values of 
each of its investments in subsidiaries for impairment.  
The net assets of certain of the Company’s subsidiaries are 
predominantly intangible exploration and evaluation (E&E) 
assets. Where facts and circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount of an E&E asset held by a subsidiary may 
exceed its recoverable amount, by reference to the specific 
indicators of impairment of E&E assets, an impairment test 
of the asset is performed by the subsidiary undertaking and 
the asset is impaired by any difference between its carrying 
value and its recoverable amount. The recognition of such 
an impairment by a subsidiary is used by the Company as 
the primary basis for determining whether or not there  
are indications that the investment in the related subsidiary 
may also be impaired, and thus whether an impairment 
test of the investment carrying value needs to be 
performed. The results of exploration activities are 
inherently uncertain, and the assessment of impairment  
of E&E assets by the subsidiary, and that of the related 
investment by the Company, is judgemental. 

www.tullowoil.com  157
www.tullowoil.com 157 

3 
 
 
 
 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

Note 1. Investments  

Shares at cost in subsidiary undertakings 
Unlisted investments 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

2013
$m

4,884.4 
1.0 

4,918.6
1.0

3,850.4
1.0

4,885.4 

4,919.6

3,851.4

During 2015, an impairment of $1,279.8 million (2014: $661 million) was recorded against the Company’s investments  
in subsidiaries to fund losses incurred by Group service companies. This was partially offset by an increase of investment 
in the Company’s directly held subsidiaries. 

The Company’s subsidiary undertakings as at 31 December 2015 are listed on page 176. The principal activity of all 
companies relates to oil and gas exploration, development and production. 

Note 2. Dividends 

Declared and paid during year 
Final dividend for 2014: nil pence (2013: 8 pence) per ordinary share 
Interim dividend for 2015: nil pence (2014: 4 pence) per ordinary share 

Dividends paid 

Proposed for approval by shareholders at the AGM 
Final dividend for 2015: nil pence (2014: nil pence) 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

2013
$m

– 
– 

– 

– 

123.3
59.0

110.6
56.8

182.3

167.4

–

120.0

The final dividend is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting. 

Note 3. Deferred tax 
The Company has tax losses of $359.9 million (2014: $359.9 million) that are available indefinitely for offset against  
future non-ring-fenced taxable profits in the Company. A deferred tax asset of $nil million (2014: $nil million) has  
been recognised in respect of these losses on the basis that the Company does not anticipate making non-ring-fenced 
profits in the foreseeable future. 

Note 4. Other current assets 
Amounts falling due within one year 

Other debtors 
Due from subsidiary undertakings 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

2013
$m

 –  
 3,475.5  

16.4
3,689.6

 0.2 
3,602.4

 3,475.5  

3,706.0

 3,602.6 

The amounts due from subsidiary undertakings include $2,951.0 million (2014: $2,800.8 million) that incurs interest at 
LIBOR plus 0.875% – 5.95%. The remaining amounts due from subsidiaries accrue no interest. All amounts are repayable 
on demand. During the year a provision of $174.8 million (2014: $128.9 million) was made in respect of the recoverability 
of amounts due from subsidiary undertakings.  

Note 5. Trade and other creditors 
Amounts falling due within one year 

Other creditors 
Accruals 
VAT and other similar taxes 
Due to subsidiary undertakings 

158  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
158 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

2015 
$m 

– 
– 
– 
722.5 

2014
$m

7.3
–
15.4
213.4

2013
$m

5.4
0.8
–
175.7

722.5 

236.1

181.9

 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Note 6. Borrowings 

Current 
Short-term borrowings 

Non-current 
Term loans repayable 
– After one year but within two years 
– After two years but within five years 
– After five years 
Senior notes due 2020 
Senior notes due 2022 

Carrying value of total borrowings 
Accrued interest and unamortised fees 

External borrowings 

2015 
$m 

2014
$m

2013
$m

14.2 

–

–

800.0 
2,165.6 
– 
646.4 
650.4 
4,262.4 

–
1,914.0
–
645.5
649.6
3,209.1

–
 445.0 
 906.0 
644.0
–
1,995.0

4,276.6 
37.6 

3,209.1
77.9

1,995.0
107.0

4,314.2 

3,287.0

2,102.0

Term loans are secured by fixed and floating charges over the oil and gas assets of the Group Financial Statements.  

Note 7. Financial instruments 
Disclosure exemptions adopted 
Where equivalent disclosures for the requirements of IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures and IFRS 13 Fair  
Value Measurements have been included in the 2015 Annual Report and Accounts of Tullow Oil plc, the Company  
has adopted the disclosure exemptions available to the Company’s accounts. 

Financial risk management objectives 
The Company follows the Group’s policies for managing all its financial risks. 

Fair values of derivative instruments 
All derivatives are recognised at fair value on the balance sheet with valuation changes recognised immediately in  
the income statement, unless the derivatives have been designated as cash flow or fair value hedges. Fair value is the 
amount for which the asset or liability could be exchanged in an arm’s length transaction at the relevant date. Where 
available fair values are determined using quoted prices in active markets. To the extent that market prices are not 
available, fair values are estimated by reference to market-based transactions, or using standard valuation techniques  
for the applicable instruments and commodities involved. 

On 22 December 2015, the Company entered into an intercompany derivative trade with a wholly owned subsidiary,  
Tullow Oil SPE limited (‘SPE’), paying consideration of $676.3 million in exchange for the right to receive all future 
receipts, and assumes all future obligations under SPE’s existing and future oil derivative contracts with external 
counterparties. The consideration paid is considered to be at fair value on the date of the transaction.  

As at 31 December 2015, none of the Company’s derivatives have been designated into hedging relationships at entity 
level. As such, derivative fair value movements in the year have been recognised immediately in the income statement. 

The Company’s derivative carrying and fair values were as follows 

Assets/liabilities 
Intercompany oil derivatives 

Total assets 

2015
Less than 1 
year
$m

405.4
405.4

2015
1-3 years
$m

217.6
217.6

2015
Total
$m

623.0
623.0

2014 
Less than 1 
year 
$m 

– 
– 

2014 
1-3 years 
$m 

– 
– 

2014
Total
$m

–
–

The following provides an analysis of the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value, grouped into  
Levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable: 

Level 1: fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical  
assets or liabilities; 

Level 2: fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1  
which are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and 

Level 3: fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques which include inputs for the asset  
or liability that are not based on observable market data. 

All of the Company’s derivatives are Level 2 (2014: n/a). There were no transfers between fair value levels during  
the year. 

www.tullowoil.com  159
www.tullowoil.com 159 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 7. Financial instruments continued 
For financial instruments which are recognised on a recurring basis, the Company determines whether transfers  
have occurred between levels by reassessing categorisation (based on the lowest-level input which is significant  
to the fair value measurement as a whole) at the end of each reporting period. 

Offset of financial assets and financial liabilities 
Netting agreements are in place to enable the Company and its counterparty to set-off liabilities against available 
assets in the event that either party is unable to fulfil its contractual obligations. 

31 December 2015 
Intercompany derivative assets 
Trade and other creditors 

31 December 2014 
Intercompany derivative assets 
Trade and other creditors 

Gross 
amounts 
offset in 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m

Net amounts 
presented in 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

Related 
amounts not 
offset in the 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

Net amount
$m

–
–

623.0 
(722.5) 

(623.0)
623.0 

–
(99.5)

Gross 
amounts 
offset in 
Group 
balance 
sheet 
$m

Net amounts 
presented in 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

Related 
amounts not 
offset in the 
balance 
sheet 
$m 

Net amount
$m

–
–

– 
(236.1) 

– 
– 

–
(236.1)

Gross 
amounts 
recognised 
$m

623.0
(722.5)

Gross 
amounts 
recognised 
$m

–
(236.1)

Income statement summary 
Derivative fair value movements during the year which have been recognised in the income statement were as follows 

Loss on derivative instruments 
Intercompany oil derivatives 

2015 
$m 

(53.3)

2014
$m

–

Cash flow and interest rate risk 
The interest rate profile of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities, excluding trade and other receivables  
and trade and other payables, at 31 December 2015 and 2014 was as follows: 

US$ 
Euro 
Sterling 
Other 

2015  
Cash at bank 
$m 

2.1 
0.2 
0.1 
1.0 

2015
Fixed rate 
debt
$m

2015
Floating rate 
debt
$m

(1,300.0)
–
–
–

(2,857.3)
–
(156.9)
–

2015
Total
$m

2014
Cash at bank
$m

(4,155.2)
0.2
(156.8)
1.0

2.2
–
(0.3)
1.7

2014 
Fixed rate 
debt 
$m 

2014 
Floating rate 
debt 
$m 

(1,300.0)
– 
– 
– 

(1,822.4)
– 
(164.6)
– 

2014
Total
$m

(3,120.2)
–
(164.9)
1.7

3.4 

(1,300.0)

(3,014.2)

(4,310.8)

3.6

(1,300.0)

(1,987.0)

(3,283.4)

Cash at bank consisted mainly of deposits which earn interest at rates set in advance for periods ranging from  
overnight to one month by reference to market rates. 

160  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
160 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
–
–

–
9.9

–
–

–
 6.2 

Liquidity risk 
The following table details the Company’s remaining contractual maturity for its non-derivative financial liabilities with 
agreed repayment periods. The tables have been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows of financial liabilities 
based on the earliest date on which the Company can be required to pay. 

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate

Less than 
1 month
$m

1-3
months
$m

3 months 
to 1 year
$m

1-5 
years 
$m 

5+ 
years 
$m 

Total
$m

31 December 2015 
Non-interest bearing 
Fixed interest rate instruments 

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

Variable interest rate instruments 

6.0%

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

n/a
6.5%

722.5

–

–
–

–

– 

– 

722.5

–
 79.6 

 650.0  
 318.5  

 650.0 
 60.9 

 1,300.0 
 459.0 

–
19.7

 14.2 
88.5

 3,000.0  
206.0 

– 
– 

 3,014.2 
324.1

732.4

19.7

182.3

4,174.5 

710.9 

5,819.8

Weighted 
average 
effective 
interest rate

Less than 
1 month
$m

1-3
months
$m

3 months 
to 1 year
$m

1-5 
years 
$m 

5+ 
years 
$m 

Total
$m

31 December 2014 
Non-interest bearing 
Fixed interest rate instruments 

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

Variable interest rate instruments 

6.7%

Principal repayments 
Interest charge 

n/a
6.5%

236.1

–

–
–

–

– 

– 

236.1

–
 79.6 

– 
 318.5  

 1,300.0 
 160.9 

 1,300.0 
 559.0 

–
 12.4 

 – 
 59.5 

 1,987.0  
 372.3  

– 
– 

 1,987.0 
 450.4 

Sensitivity analysis  
The following analysis is intended to illustrate sensitivity to changes in market variables, being Dated Brent oil prices  
and US dollar exchange rates. The analysis is used internally by management to monitor derivatives and assesses the 
financial impact of reasonably possible movements in key variables. 

242.3

12.4

139.1

2,677.8 

1,460.9 

4,532.5

Brent oil price 
Brent oil price 
US$/foreign currency exchange rates 
US$/foreign currency exchange rates 

Foreign currency 
denominated liabilities  
and equity 

2014 
$m 
– 
– 
– 
– 

2015 
$m 
(441.1)
564.1 
(31.4)
31.4 

2014
$m
–
–
(32.9)
32.9

Equity 

2015
$m
–
–
–
–

Market movement
50%
(50%)
20%
(20%)

The following assumptions have been used in calculating the sensitivity in movement of oil prices; the pricing adjustments 
relate only to the point forward mark-to-market (MTM) valuations, the sensitivities have been run only on the intrinsic 
element of the derivatives as management consider this to be the material component of oil derivative valuations. 

www.tullowoil.com  161
www.tullowoil.com 161 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NOTES TO THE COMPANY FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONTINUED 
YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2015 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 8. Loans from subsidiary undertakings 
Amounts falling due after more than one year 

Loans from subsidiary companies 

2015 
$m 

– 

2014 
$m 

– 

2013
$m

1.3

The amounts due from subsidiaries do not accrue interest. All loans from subsidiary companies are not due to be repaid 
within five years. 

Note 9. Called up equity share capital and share premium account 
Allotted equity share capital and share premium 

 At 1 January 2014 
Issued during the year 
– Exercise of share options  
At 1 January 2015 
Issued during the year 
– Exercise of share options 

At 31 December 2015 

Equity share  
capital allotted  
and fully paid  
Number 

909,971,941 

Share 
capital 
$m 

146.9 

Share 
premium
$m 

603.2

689,690 
910,661,631 

0.1 
147.0 

3.2
606.4

 915,075  

0.2 

3.4

911,576,706 

147.2 

609.8

The Company does not have an authorised share capital. The par value of the Company’s shares is 10 pence. 

Note 10. Subsequent events 
In January 2016 Tullow completed the farm-down of 25% of its interest in block 12A to Delonex and Tullow also agreed  
to sell a 20% interest in the Bannu West licence in Pakistan to Mari Gas. Tullow was awarded a 60% operated interest  
in the Orinduik licence in January 2016, a 1,801 square kilometre block offshore Guyana. On 23 January 2016, the  
TEN FPSO set sail from Singapore to Ghana with arrival expected in early March 2016.  

Subsequent to the balance sheet date there has been a deterioration in the spot price of Brent crude. Sensitivity  
analysis on the impact of a reduction in Brent crude prices on the carrying value of PP&E is provided in note 12  
of the Group accounts. 

162  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
162 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY 

3

Group income statement 
Sales revenue 
Cost of sales 

Gross profit 
Administrative expenses 
Restructuring costs 
(Loss)/profit on disposal 
Goodwill impairment 
Exploration costs written off 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
Provision for onerous service contracts 

Operating (loss)/profit 
(Loss)/profit on hedging instruments 
Finance revenue 
Finance costs 

2015
$m

2014
$m

2013* 
$m 

2012* 
$m 

**Restated
2011*
$m

1,606.6
(1,015.3)

2,212.9
(1,116.7)

2,646.9 
(1,153.8) 

2,344.1 
(968.0)

2,304.2
(897.2)

591.3
(193.6)
(40.8)
(56.5)
(53.7)
(748.9)
(406.0)
(185.5)

(1,093.7)
(58.8)
4.2
(149.0)

1,096.2
(192.4)
–
(482.4)
(132.8)
(1,657.3)
(595.9)
–

(1,964.6)
50.8
9.6
(143.2)

 1,493.1  
(218.5) 
– 
29.5 
– 
(870.6) 
(52.7) 
– 

380.8 
(19.7) 
43.7 
(91.6) 

1,376.1 
(191.2)
– 
702.5 
 – 
(670.9)
(31.3)
– 

1,185.2 
(19.9)
9.6 
(59.0)

1,407.0
(122.8)
–
2.0
 – 
(120.6)
(33.6)
–

1,132.0
27.2
36.6
(122.9)

(Loss)/profit from continuing activities before taxation 
Taxation  

(1,297.3)
260.4

(2,047.4)
407.5

313.2 
(97.1) 

1,115.9 
(449.7)

1,072.9
(383.9)

(Loss)/profit for the year from continuing activities 

(1,036.9)

(1,639.9)

216.1 

666.2 

689.0

(Loss)/earnings per share  
Basic – ¢ 
Diluted – ¢ 

Dividends paid 

Group balance sheet 
Non-current assets 
Net current assets/(liabilities) 

Total assets less current liabilities 
Long-term liabilities 

(113.6)
(113.6)

(170.9)
(170.9)

18.6 
18.5 

68.8 
68.4 

72.5
72.0

 – 

182.3

167.4 

173.2 

114.2

9,506.8
259.2

9,335.1
747.4

9,439.3 
637.0 

8,087.6 
65.4 

9,463.5
(361.2)

9,766.0
(6,591.3)

10,082.5
(6,062.2)

10,076.3 
(4,629.9) 

8,153.0 
(2,831.4)

9,102.3
(4,336.3)

Net assets 

3,174.7

4,020.3

5,446.4 

5,321.6 

4,766.0

Called up equity share capital 
Share premium 
Foreign currency translation reserve 
Hedge reserve 
Other reserves 
Retained earnings 

147.2
609.8
(249.3)
569.9
740.9
1,336.4

147.0
606.4
(205.7)
401.6
740.9
2,305.8

146.9 
603.2 
(155.1) 
2.3 
740.9 
3,984.7 

146.6 
584.8 
(167.8)
(6.5)
740.9 
3,931.2 

146.2
551.8
(175.5)
(14.3)
740.9
3,441.3

Equity attributable to equity holders of the parent 
Non-controlling interest 

3,154.9
19.8

3,996.0
24.3

5,322.9 
123.5 

5,229.2 
92.4 

4,690.4
75.6

Total equity 

3,174.7

4,020.3

5,446.4 

5,321.6 

4,766.0

*  All comparative figures have been re-presented to align disclosure of impairments of property, plant and equipment on the face of the income  

statement with 2014. 

** The 2011 figures have been restated to reflect the adjustment to business combination fair values. 

163 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

www.tullowoil.com  163

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Financial calendar
2015 Full-year results announced 
Annual General Meeting 
AGM Trading Update 
Trading Statement & Operational Update 
2016 Half Year Results announced 
November Trading Update  

 10 February 2016 
28 April 2016 
28 April 2016 
 1 July 2016 
 27 July 2016 
9 November 2016

Shareholder enquiries
All enquiries concerning shareholdings including notification 
of change of address, loss of a share certificate or dividend 
payments should be made to the Company’s registrars.

For shareholders on the UK register, Computershare 
provides a range of services through its online portal, 
Investor Centre, which can be accessed free of charge at 
www.investorcentre.co.uk. Once registered, this service, 
accessible from anywhere in the world, enables 
shareholders to check details of their shareholdings or 
dividends, download forms to notify changes in personal 
details, and access other relevant information.

United Kingdom Registrar 
Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions 
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS99 6ZZ

Tel – UK shareholders: 0870 703 6242 
Tel – Irish shareholders: + 353 1 247 5413 
Tel – overseas shareholders: + 44 870 703 6242 
Contact: www.investorcentre.co.uk/contactus

Ghana Registrar
The Central Securities Depository (Ghana) Limited
4th Floor, Cedi House, P.M.B CT 465 
Cantonments, Accra, Ghana

Tel – Ghana shareholders: + 233 302 689 313 / 689 314 
Contact: info@csd.com.gh

Share dealing service
A telephone share dealing service has been established for 
shareholders with Computershare for the sale and purchase 
of Tullow Oil shares. Shareholders who are interested in 
using this service can obtain further details by calling the 
appropriate telephone number below:

UK shareholders: 0870 703 0084 
Irish shareholders: +00 353 1 447 5435

If you live outside the UK or Ireland and wish to trade you  
can do so through the Computershare Trading Account.  
To find out more or to open an account, please visit  
www.computershare-sharedealing.co.uk or phone 
Computershare on +44 870 707 1606.

ShareGift
If you have a small number of shares whose value makes  
it uneconomical to sell, you may wish to consider donating 
them to ShareGift which is a UK registered charity 
specialising in realising the value locked up in small 
shareholdings for charitable purposes. The resulting 
proceeds are donated to a range of charities, reflecting 
suggestions received from donors. Should you wish  
to donate your Tullow Oil Plc shares in this way, please 
download and complete a transfer form from  
www.ShareGift.Org/forms, sign it and send it together  
with the share certificate to ShareGift, PO Box 72253,  
London SW1P 9LQ. For more information regarding this 
charity, visit www.ShareGift.org

Electronic communication
To reduce impact on the environment, the Company 
encourages all shareholders to receive their shareholder 
communications including annual reports and notices of 
meetings electronically. Once registered for electronic 
communications, shareholders will be sent an email each 
time the Company publishes statutory documents, providing 
a link to the information.

Tullow actively supports Woodland Trust, the UK’s leading 
woodland conservation charity. Computershare, together 
with Woodland Trust, has established eTree, an 
environmental programme designed to promote electronic 
shareholder communications. Under this programme, the 
Company makes a donation to eTree for every shareholder 
who registers for electronic communication. To register for 
this service, simply visit www.etree.com/tullowoilplc with 
your shareholder number and email address to hand.

Shareholder security
Shareholders are advised to be cautious about any 
unsolicited financial advice; offers to buy shares at a 
discount or offers of free company reports. More detailed 
information can be found at www.fca.org.uk/scams and  
in the Shareholder Services section of the Investors area  
of the Tullow website: www.tullowoil.com.

Corporate Brokers
Barclays
5 North Colonnade 
Canary Wharf 
London 
E14 4BB

Morgan Stanley & Co. International plc
20 Bank Street 
Canary Wharf 
London 
E14 4AD

Davy
Davy House 
49 Dawson Street 
Dublin 2 
Ireland

164  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

WEST AFRICA 

Licence 
Congo (Brazzaville)  
M'Boundi 
Côte d'Ivoire 
CI-26 Special Area “E”  
Equatorial Guinea 
Ceiba  
Okume Complex 

Gabon 
Arouwe1, 2 
Avouma 

Ebouri 

Echira 
Etame 

Ezanga 
Gwedidi 
Igongo 
Limande 
Mabounda 
Mbigou 
M'Oba 
Niembi 
Niungo 
Oba 
Omko 
Maroc 
Maroc Nord 
Onal 
Tchatamba Marin 
Tchatamba South 
Tchatamba West 
Turnix 
Back-In Rights3 
Dussafu Marin 

Etame Marin 

Ghana 
Deepwater Tano  

LICENCE INTERESTS 
CURRENT EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION INTERESTS 

Fields  

Area 
sq km

Tullow 

Interest  Operator 

Other Partners 

M'Boundi 

146

11.00%  ENI 

SNPC  

Espoir 

235

21.33%  CNR 

PETROCI  

70
192

14.25%  Hess 
14.25%  Hess 

GEPetrol  
GEPetrol 

Ceiba 
Okume, Oveng
Ebano, Elon 
Akom North 

Avouma,  
South Tchibala 
Ebouri 

Echira 
Etame,  
North Tchibala 

Gwedidi 
Igongo 
Limande 
Mabounda 
Mbigou 
M'Oba 
Niembi 
Niungo 
Oba 
Omko 
Maroc 
Maroc Nord 
Onal 
Tchatamba Marin
Tchatamba South
Tchatamba West
Turnix 

15

76
49

5,626
5
117
54
6
5
57
4
96
44
16
17
17
46
30
40
25
18

4,414
52

35.00%  Perenco
7.50%  Vaalco

7.50%  Vaalco 

40.00%  Perenco
7.50%  Vaalco 

ExxonMobil  
Addax (Sinopec), Sasol, 
Sojitz, PetroEnergy 
Addax (Sinopec), Sasol, 
Sojitz, PetroEnergy 

Addax (Sinopec), Sasol, 
Sojitz, PetroEnergy 

7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  
7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  

36.00%  Perenco
40.00%  Perenco

Total, Gov of Gabon

7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  
7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  

24.31%  Perenco 

7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  

AIC Petrofi 

40.00%  Perenco
5.00%  Perenco
7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  
7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  
7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  
7.50%  Maurel & Prom  Gov of Gabon  

25.00%  Perenco
25.00%  Perenco
25.00%  Perenco
27.50%  Perenco

Oranje Nassau 
Oranje Nassau 
Oranje Nassau 

2,780

5.00%  Harvest Natural 

Pan-Petroleum 

2,972

7.50%  Vaalco

Res 

Wawa  

558

49.95%  Tullow

Addax (Sinopec), Sasol, Sojitz, 
PetroEnergy  

Kosmos, Anadarko, GNPC,
PetroSA 

Anadarko, GNPC, PetroSA
Kosmos, Anadarko, GNPC, 
PetroSA 

Ten Development Area4 

West Cape Three Points 
Jubilee Field Unit Area5 

Tweneboa, 
Enyenra, Ntomme
Jubilee 
Jubilee 

47.18%4 

412
110

26.40%  Kosmos
35.48%  Tullow

Notes: 
1.  Tullow has 'Back-In Rights' on this licence as well as a working interest. 
2.  Exploration activities on this licence are dealt with by the New Ventures BDT. 
3.  Back-In Rights: Tullow has the option, in the event of a development, to acquire varying interests in licences where there is a Back-In Right. 
4.  GNPC has exercised its right to acquire an additional 5% in the Tweneboa, Enyenra and Ntomme (TEN) discoveries. Tullow’s interest in these  

discoveries is now 47.175%. 

5.  A unitisation agreement covering the Jubilee field was agreed by the partners of the West Cape Three Points and the Deepwater Tano licences. 

www.tullowoil.com  165
www.tullowoil.com 159 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

LICENCE INTERESTS CONTINUED 
CURRENT EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION INTERESTS 

Blocks 

Fields  

Area
sq km

Tullow 
Interest

Operator 

Other Partners 

EUROPE6 

Licence 
Netherlands 
E10 
E11 
E14 
E15a 
E15b 
E15c 
E18a 
E18b 
F13a 
J9 

K8 

K11 
L13 

Joint Development Area (JDA)8  
J9, K7, K8, K11, K14a, K15, L13 
United Kingdom 
CMS Area 
P450 
P451 

44/21a 
44/22a  
44/22b 
44/23a (part) 
44/28b 
44/26a 
44/17b 
44/18b 
44/23b 
44/19b 

P452  
P453 
P516 
P1006  
P1058  

P1139 

CMS III Unit12 

44/17a (part) 
44/17c (part) 
44/21a (part) 
44/22a (part) 
44/22b (part) 
44/22c (part) 
44/23a (part) 
44/17b 
44/17a 
Schooner Unit12 44/26a 
43/30a 

Munro Unit12 

Thames Area   
P007 

P037 

49/24aF1 
(Gawain) 
49/28a 
49/28b 

49/28a(part) 
53/04d 
49/29a (part) 
53/03c 
53/04b 

P039 
P105 
P786 
P852 
Gawain Unit12  49/24F1 
(Gawain) 
49/29a (part) 

F16-E7 
E18-A7 

E18-A7, F16-E7

F16-E7 

401
401
403
39
21
343
212
192
4
18

30.00% ENGIE
30.00% ENGIE
30.00% ENGIE

4.69% Wintershall
21.12% Wintershall
20.00% ENGIE
17.60% Wintershall
30.00% ENGIE

4.69% Wintershall
9.95% NAM

820

22.5%  NAM

18.00%
22.50% NAM

413

31 fields 

9.95% NAM

EBN  
EBN  
EBN  
Dana, ENGIE, EBN
Dana, EBN 
EBN, Gas Plus  
Dana, EBN 
EBN  
Dana, ENGIE, EBN
Oranje Nassau,  
Wintershall, EBN 
Oranje Nassau,  
Wintershall, EBN 

Oranje Nassau, EBN, 
Wintershall 
Oranje Nassau,  
Wintershall, EBN 

Boulton B & F
Murdoch 
Boulton H9 
Murdoch K9 
Ketch 
Schooner10 
Munro11 

Kelvin13 
Katy (formerly 
Harrison) 
Boulton H, Hawksley13
McAdam, Murdoch K 

77
89

48
85
99
48
46

9.50% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 
34.00% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 

6.91% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 

40.00% Faroe Petr
42.96% Faroe Petr
20.00% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 
22.50% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 

30

22.50% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 

14.10% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 

Munro 

Schooner 

15.00% ConocoPhillips  ENGIE 

40.00% Faroe Petr

Gawain 14, 15 

69

50.00%  Perenco 

Thames15, Yare15, 
Bure15, Deben15, 
Wensum15 
Thurne15 
Wissey15 
Gawain14, 15 
Horne15 
Horne & Wren15
Gawain15 

90

66.67%  Perenco 

Centrica 

29
17
8
17

86.96%  Tullow
62.50%  Tullow
50.00%  Perenco 
50.00%  Tullow
50.00%  Tullow
50.00%  Perenco

Centrica  
First Oil, Faroe Petr 

Centrica  
Centrica  

166  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
160 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
EAST AFRICA 

Licence 
Kenya 
Block 10BA 
Block 10BB 
Block 12A 
Block 12B 
Block 13T 
Uganda 
Exploration Area 1  

Exploration Area 1A 
Exploration Area 2 

Area 
sq km

15,811
6,172
15,390
6,200
4,719

Tullow 

Interest  Operator 

Other Partners 

50.00% Tullow
50.00% Tullow
40.00%  Tullow
50.00% Tullow
50.00% Tullow

Africa Oil, Maersk  
Africa Oil, Maersk  
Africa Oil, Delonex 
Swala Energy 
Africa Oil, Maersk  

598

33.33%  Total 

CNOOC 

85
1,025

33.33%  Total 
33.33%  Tullow

CNOOC 
CNOOC, Total 

Fields  

Jobi, Rii, 
Jobi East, Gunya, 
Ngiri, Mpyo 
Lyec 
Kasamene, 
Kigogole, Mputa, 
Nsogo, Ngege, 
Ngara, Nzizi, 
Waraga, 
Wahrindi  
Kingfisher 

Production Licence 1/12 
Notes: 
6.  Exploration & production operations in the Netherlands and production in the UK are dealt with by the West Africa BDT despite falling outside  

33.33%  CNOOC

Total 

344

this geographic region. 

7.  These fields are unitised – interests are as follows: F16-E 4.147%; E18-A 18.357%. 
8. 

Interests in blocks K7, K8, K11, K14a, K15 and L13 have been unitised. These six blocks, along with block J9, are known as the Joint Development  
Area (JDA). 

9.  Refer to CMS III Unit for field interest. 
10. Refer to Schooner Unit for field interest. 
11. Refer to Munro Unit for field interest. 
12. For the UK offshore area, fields that extend across more than one licence area with differing partner interests become part of a unitised area.  

The interest held in the Unitised Field Area is split amongst the holders of the relevant licences according to their proportional ownership of the field. 
The unitised areas in which Tullow is involved are listed in addition to the nominal licence holdings. 

13. This field is no longer producing. 
14. Refer to Gawain Unit for field interest. 
15. These fields are no longer producing. Abandonment works are ongoing. 

www.tullowoil.com  167
www.tullowoil.com 161 

3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

LICENCE INTERESTS CONTINUED 
CURRENT EXPLORATION, DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTION INTERESTS 

NEW VENTURES 

Blocks 

Licence  
Ethiopia 
South Omo 
French Guiana 
Guyane Maritime   
Greenland 
Block 9 (Tooq) 
Guinea 
Offshore Guinea 
(Deepwater)17 
Guyana 
Kanuku 
Orinduik 
Jamaica 
Walton Morant 
Madagascar 
Mandabe  
(Block 3109) 
Berenty  
(Block 3111)  
Mauritania 
Block C-3 
Block C-10 
Block C-18 
PSC B 
(Chinguetti EEA)20  
Namibia 
PEL 0030  
(Block 2012A) 
PEL 0037 (Blocks 
2112A,B, 2113B) 
Norway 
North Sea 
PL 405 
PL 406 
PL 407 
PL 507 

PL 550 
PL 626 
PL 636 
PL 746S 
PL 774 
PL 774B 
PL 775 
PL 776 

PL 784 

PL 786 

PL 811 

PL 826 
PL 827S 

Fields  

Area
sq km

Tullow 
Interest

Operator 

Other Partners 

22,288

50.00% Tullow

Africa Oil, Delonex16, Maersk 

24,100

27.50% Shell 

Total, Northpet Investments 

11,802

40.00% Maersk

Nunaoil 

18,746

40.00% Tullow

SCS, Dana  

6,525
1,776

30.00% Repsol 18
60.00% Tullow

RWE18 
Eco O&G  

32,065 100.00% Tullow

7,189

65.00% Tullow

7,492

65.00% Tullow

OMV  

OMV  

9,825
8,025
13,225
31

49.50%19  Tullow
76.50% Tullow
90.00% Tullow
22.26% Petronas

Sterling Energy19, SMH
SMH, Sterling Energy
SMH 
SMH, Premier, Kufpec

Chinguetti 

5,800

25.00% Eco O&G 

AziNam, NAMCOR 

17,295

65.00% Tullow

Pancontinental, Paragon

8/10 
18/10 
17/12 
25/2, 25/3, 30/11, 
30/12, 31/10 
(parts) 
31/1, 31/2 
25/10 
36/7 
29/3 
16/7 
16/10 
16/7, 16/8 
16/5, 16/6, 16/8, 
16/9 
25/3, 25/6 

31/3, 32/1, 35/12, 
36/10 
7/9, 7/12, 8/7, 
8/10 
29/3, 30/1, 33/12   
35/10 

101
115
81
1,003

15.00% Centrica
20.00% Premier 
20.00% Premier 
20.00%22  Statoil 21

Faroe Petr, Suncor
Kufpec  
Kufpec  
North Energy, MOL

469
202
455
55
114
22
347
665

80.00% Tullow
30.00% Det norske
20.00% ENGIE
30.00% Pure E&P
40.00% Tullow
40.00% Tullow
40.00% Tullow
40.00% Tullow

273

40.00% Tullow

732

50.00% ENGIE

Det norske, VNG 
Fortis Petr, MOL 
Idemitsu, Wellesley Petr
Concedo 
Concedo, Petrolia 
Concedo, Petrolia 
Concedo, Petoro, Spike
Concedo, Petoro, Wintershall

Concedo, North Energy,
Pure E&P 

359

20.00% Origo

Faroe Petr 

15
52

30.00% Pure E&P
40.00% Tullow

Concedo 
Statoil, Shell 

168  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts
162 Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
NEW VENTURES continued 

Blocks 

Licence  
Norway 
Norwegian Sea   
PL 583 

PL 650  
PL 651 

PL 689 
PL 689B 
PL 701 

PL 750 

PL 750B 

PL 791 

PL 838 
PL 843 

6306/6, 6306/7 
6306/8, 6306/9 
6507/3 
6610/8, 6610/9, 
6610/11, 6610/12 
6306/3 
6307/1, 6307/4 
6406/9, 6406/11, 
6406/12  
6405/4, 6405/7, 
6405/10 
6404/9, 6404/12, 
6405/10 
6203/7, 6203/8, 
6203/9, 6203/10, 
6203/11, 
6203/12, 6204/10 
6507/5, 6507/6 
6608/12, 6609/7, 
6609/8, 6609/9, 
6609/10, 
6609/11, 6609/12 

Barents Sea 
PL 537 
PL 610 

PL 659 

PL 695 

PL 709 

PL 710 

7324/7, 7324/8 
7222/2,  
7222/3 (parts) 
7121/3, 7122/1,  
7122/2, 7221/12, 
7222/10, 
7222/11, 7222/12 
7018/3, 7018/6 
7019/1 
7224/6, 
7225/4 
7218/12, 
7219/10, 7219/11 

Area
sq km

Tullow 
Interest

Operator 

Other Partners 

1,021

55.00% Tullow

Svenska 

140
1,338

25.00% E. ON 
35.00% E. ON 

Statoil 
Dana 

457
128
419

20.00% DONG
20.00% DONG
30.00% Noreco

Bayerngas, Svenska
Det norske, Bayerngas
ENGIE 

1,043

60.00% Tullow

Repsol 

732

60.00% Tullow

Repsol 

1,302

50.00% Pure E&P

125
1,123

30.00% PGNiG
20.00% Det norske

E. ON  
Pure E&P, Statoil 

594
403

20.00% OMV
37.50% ENGIE

Petoro, Idemitsu, Statoil
Pure E&P 

1,462

15.00% Det norske

Lundin, Petoro, Pure E&P, 
Atlantic Petr 

590

40.00% Lundin

Petoro 

476

40.00% Det norske

ENGIE 

956

20.00% Total

Maersk, ENGIE 

1,230
6,200
2,068
1,107
2,459

20.00%23  Tullow
95.00% Tullow
30.00% OGDCL 
40.00% OGDCL 
30.00% OGDCL

Pakistan 
Bannu West 
Block 28 
Kalchas 
Kohat 
Kohlu 
Suriname 
Block 31 
Block 47 
Block 54 
Uruguay 
Block 15 
Notes  
16. Delonex has acquired Marathon’s interest, subject to Government approval. 
17. Area listed is following a 25% relinquishment, subject to Government approval. 
18. Repsol is in the process of acquiring RWE’S interest, subject to Government approval. 
19. Sterling is in the process of withdrawing from this licence; Tullow will revert to 90% on completion.  
20. PSC B (Chinguetti EEA) is dealt with by the West Africa BDT. 
21. Statoil is taking over operatorship of this licence from Tullow, subject to Government approval.  
22. Tullow's interest on completion of deal with Statoil.  
23. Tullow’s interest on completion of farm-down to MPCL. 
24. Tullow's interest on completion of deal with Statoil, subject to Government approval. 

30.00% Inpex 
5,560
2,369 100.00% Tullow
30.00% Tullow
8,480

35.00%24  Tullow

8,030

OGDCL, MPCL, SEL 
OGDCL  
MPCL  
MPCL , SEL  
MPCL  

Statoil, Noble Energy 

Statoil, Inpex  

www.tullowoil.com  169
www.tullowoil.com 163 

3 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

COMMERCIAL RESERVES AND CONTINGENT RESOURCES SUMMARY  
(UNAUDITED) WORKING INTEREST BASIS 

West Africa 

East Africa 

New Ventures 

Total 

Gas 
bcf 

Oil
mmbbl

Gas
bcf

Oil
mmbbl

Gas
bcf

Oil 
mmbbl 

Gas 
bcf 

Petroleum
mmboe

Commercial reserves 
31 December 2014 
Revisions 
Transfer from 
contingent 
resources 
Disposals 
Production 

Oil
mmbbl

 307.6 
 3.0 
 0.9 

 226.4  
 6.8  
–  

 – 
(23.9)

(10.0) 
(17.4) 

31 December 2015 

 287.6 

 205.8  

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–
–

–
–

–

 307.6  
 3.0  
 0.9  

 226.4 
 6.8 
– 

 345.3 
 4.1 
 0.9 

– 
(23.9) 

(10.0)
(17.4)

(1.7)
(26.8)

 287.6  

 205.8 

 321.8 

Contingent resources 
31 December 2014 
Revisions 
Additions 
Disposals 
Transfers to 
commercial 
reserves 

 106.8 
 9.9 
 – 
 – 
(0.9)

 993.7  
(233.6) 
 –  
(35.2) 
 –  

 531.6 
 79.1 
 18.1 
–
–

 12.4 
 30.2 
–
–
–

 101.5 
–
–
–
–

 4.2 
–
–
–
–

 739.9  
 89.0  
 18.1  
– 
(0.9) 

 1,010.3 
(203.4)
– 
(35.2)
– 

 908.3 
 55.1 
 18.1 
(5.9)
(0.9)

31 December 2015 

115.8 

724.9  

628.8 

42.6 

101.5 

4.2 

846.1  

771.7 

974.7 

Total 

31 December 2015 

 403.4 

 930.7  

 628.8 

 42.6 

 101.5 

 4.2 

 1,133.7  

 977.5 

 1,296.5 

1.  Proven and Probable Commercial Reserves are based on a Group reserves report produced by an independent engineer. Reserves estimates for each 
field are reviewed by the independent engineer based on significant new data or a material change with a review of each field undertaken at least every 
two years. 

2.  Proven and Probable Contingent Resources are based on a Group reserves report produced by an independent engineer. Resources estimates are 

reviewed by the independent engineer based on significant new data received following exploration or appraisal drilling. 

3.  The West Africa revisions to reserves relate to Jubilee, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. 

4.  The West Africa disposals relate to the L&Q block in the Netherlands and farm-down of the Vincent discovery. 

5.  The West Africa revision to gas contingent resources relates to the relinquishment of the Pelican field in Mauritania. 

6.  East Africa additions to oil contingent resources relate to Etom in Kenya. 

7.  East Africa revision to contingent resources relate to Kenya and Uganda. 

The Group provides for depletion and amortisation of tangible fixed assets on a net entitlements basis, which reflects  
the terms of the Production Sharing Contracts related to each field. Total net entitlement reserves were 299.1 mmboe  
at 31 December 2015 (31 December 2014: 321.0 mmboe).  

Contingent resources relate to resources in respect of which development plans are in the course of preparation or 
further evaluation is under way with a view to future development. 

170  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
TRANSPARENCY DISCLOSURE

Transparency Disclosure 
The Reports on Payments to Governments Regulations 
(UK Regulations) came into force on 1 December 2014 
and require UK companies in the extractive sector to 
publicly disclose payments made to governments in the 
countries where they undertake extractive operations. 
The regulations implement Chapter 10 of EU Accounting 
Directive (2013/34/ EU).

The UK Regulations came into effect on 1 January 2015,  
but Tullow were early adopters of the EU Directive and have 
published our tax payments to governments in full, in its 
Annual Report and Accounts since 2013. The 2015 disclosure 
remains in line with the EU Directive and UK Regulations and 
we have provided additional voluntary disclosure on VAT, 
stamp duty, withholding tax, PAYE and other taxes.

The payments disclosed are based on where the obligation 
for the payment arose: Payments raised at a project level 
have been disclosed at a project level and payments raised at 
a corporate level have been disclosed on that basis. However, 
where a payment or a series of related payments do not 
exceed £86,000, they are disclosed at a corporate level,  
in accordance with the UK Regulations. The voluntary 
disclosure has been prepared on a corporate level. 

All of the payments disclosed in accordance with the 
Directive have been made to National Governments, either 
directly or through a Ministry or Department of the National 
Government with the exception of Ghana payments in 
respect of production entitlements and licence fees which 
are paid to the Ghana National Oil Company. Our total 
economic contribution to all stakeholders can be found  
on page 66. Detailed disclosure on our 2015 tax payments 
can be found on pages 172 to 175.

Production entitlements in barrels – includes non-cash 
royalties and state non-participating interest paid in barrels 
of oil or gas out of Tullow’s working interest share of 
production in a licence. The figures disclosed are produced 
on an entitlement basis rather than a liftings basis. It does 
not include the Government’s or NOC’s working interest 
share of production in a licence. Production entitlements 
have been multiplied by the Group’s 2015 average realised oil 
price $67.0/bbl.

Income taxes – This represents cash tax calculated on the 
basis of profits including income or capital gains. Income 
taxes are usually reflected in corporate income tax returns. 
The cash payment of income taxes occurs in the year in 
which the tax has arisen or up to one year later. Income 
taxes also include any cash tax rebates received from the 
government or revenue authority during the year. Income 
taxes do not include fines and penalties.

Royalties – This represents cash royalties paid to 
governments during the year for the extraction of oil or  
gas. The terms of the royalties are described within our 
PSCs and can vary from project to project within one  
country. Royalties paid in kind have been recognised within 
the production entitlements category. The cash payment of 
royalties occurs in the year in which the tax has arisen.

Bonus payments – This represents any bonus paid to 
governments during the year, usually as a result of achieving 
certain milestones, such as a signature bonus, POD bonus 
or a production bonus.

Licence fees – This represents licence fees, rental fees, 
entry fees and other consideration for licences and/or 
concessions paid for access to an area during the year 
(with the exception of signature bonuses which are 
captured within bonus payments).

Infrastructure improvement payments – This represents 
payments made in respect of infrastructure improvements 
for projects that are not directly related to oil and gas 
activities during the year. This can be a contractually 
obligated payment in a PSC or a discretionary payment  
for building/improving local infrastructure such as roads, 
bridges, ports, schools and hospitals.

VAT – This represents net cash VAT received from/paid to 
governments during the year. The amount disclosed is equal 
to the VAT return submitted by Tullow to governments with 
the cash payment made in the year the charge is borne.  
It should be noted the operator of a joint venture typically 
makes VAT payments in respect of the joint venture as a 
whole and as such where Tullow has a non-operated 
presence in a country limited VAT will be paid.

Stamp Duty – This includes taxes that are placed on legal 
documents usually in the transfers of assets or capital. 
Usually these taxes are reflected in stamp duty returns  
made to governments and are paid shortly after capital  
or assets are transferred.

Withholding tax (WHT) – This represents tax charged on 
services, interest, dividends or other distributions of profits. 
The amount disclosed is equal to the WHT return submitted 
by Tullow to governments with the cash payment made in the 
year the charge is borne. It should be noted the operator of  
a joint venture typically makes WHT payments in respect of 
the joint venture as a whole and as such where Tullow has a 
non-operated presence in a country limited WHT will be paid.

PAYE & national insurance – This represents payroll and 
employer taxes paid (such as PAYE and national insurance) 
by Tullow as a direct employer. The amount disclosed is 
equal to the return submitted by Tullow to governments  
with the cash payment made in the year the charge is borne.

Carried interests – This comprises payments made under  
a carrying agreement or PSC/PSA, by Tullow for the cash 
settlement of costs owed by a government or national oil 
company for their equity interest in a licence.

Customs duties – This represents cash payments made in 
respect of customs/excise/import and export duties made 
during the year including items such as railway levies. These 
payments typically arise through the import/transportation  
of goods into a country with the cash payment made in the 
year the charge is borne.

Training allowances – This comprises payments made  
in respect of training government or national oil company 
staff. This can be in the form of mandatory contractual 
requirements or discretionary training provided by a company.

www.tullowoil.com  171

3 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

TRANSPARENCY DISCLOSURE 2015 (UNAUDITED)

Production 
entitlements
bbls (000)

Production 
entitlements
US$ (000)

Income taxes
US$ (000)

Royalties 
(cash only)
US$ (000)

Dividends
US$ (000)

Bonus 
payments
US$ (000)

Licence  
fees
US$ (000)

Infrastructure 
improvement 
payments
US$ (000)

UK Regulations

VAT

Stamp duty

Withholding 

tax

Carried 

interests

Customs 

Training 

duties

allowances

US$(000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$(000)

TOTAL

US$ (000)

TOTAL

bbls (000)

Voluntary disclosure

PAYE & 

national 

insurance

US$ (000)

 226 

 226 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 149 

 346 

 – 

 495 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

664

–

–

664

–

 – 

 47 

 – 

 47 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 274 

 – 

 274 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 37,381 

 37,381 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 15,775 

 – 

 2,122 

 17,897 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

– 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 9 

 9 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1 

 1 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,304 

3,124

 706 

 3,236 

 157 

 3,013 

 9,413 

 1,088 

94

 1,106 

 – 

 23,241 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

– 

20,000

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 20,000 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 60 

 60 

 75 

 75 

 258 

 70 

 328 

 441

 – 

 441 

 486 

 486 

 300 

 300 

 600 

 – 

 – 

 127 

 127 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 915 

 237 

 3,190 

 4,342 

 60 

 60 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 197 

 – 

 197 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

– 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 344 

 344 

 3,709 

 3,709 

 (1,780)

 (1,780)

 157 

 157 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 69 

 – 

 – 

 69 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,270 

 1,270 

 – 

 49 

 49 

 9,003 

 9,003 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 59 

 59 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 2 

 – 

–

 25 

 25 

 – 

 61 

 61 

 – 

 588 

 590 

 – 

 3 

 3 

 – 

 – 

 188 

 188 

 160 

 160 

 21,634 

 21,634 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 993 

 993 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 250 

 250 

 700 

 700 

 – 

150 

150 

 958 

 958 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

55

55

 63,321 

 63,321 

 16,597 

 16,597 

 94,114 

 94,114 

10,215

10,215

 – 

 – 

 274 

 59 

 333 

 – 

 – 

 37,381 

 37,381 

 1,304 

3,124

 20,706 

 3,236 

 157 

 3,013 

 9,413 

 1,088 

 16,870 

 1,106 

 2,124 

62,141

 915 

 237 

191,456

192,608

 160 

 160 

 258 

 2,101 

 2,359 

 638 

 (1,421)

 (783)

 33,240

 33,240 

 300 

 303 

 603 

 1 

 1 

 370 

 370 

 226 

 226 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 149 

 346 

 – 

 495 

 664 

 664 

 – 

 – 

 47 

 – 

 47 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Licence / Company level

M'Boundi

Total Congo

CI-26 Espoir

Corporate

Total Côte d'Ivoire

Ceiba

Okume Complex

Corporate

Total Equatorial Guinea

Echira

Etame

Ezanga

Limande

M'Oba

Niungo

Tchatamba

Turnix

Corporate – Tullow Oil Gabon SA

Oba

Corporate – Tulipe Oil SA

Total Gabon

Jubilee

TEN

Company level

Total Ghana

Company level

Total Guinea

PSC B (Chinguetti EEA)

Corporate

Total Mauritania

South Omo

Corporate

Total Ethiopia

Corporate

Total Kenya

Block 3111

Corporate

Total Madagascar

Corporate

Total Mozambique

Company level

Total Namibia

172  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Licence / Company level

bbls (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

Production 

entitlements

Production 

Royalties 

(cash only)

entitlements

Income taxes

Dividends

payments

Bonus 

Licence  

fees

Infrastructure 

improvement 

payments

US$ (000)

UK Regulations

Voluntary disclosure

Withholding 
tax
US$ (000)

PAYE & 
national 
insurance
US$ (000)

VAT
US$(000)

Stamp duty
US$ (000)

Carried 
interests
US$ (000)

Customs 
duties
US$ (000)

Training 
allowances
US$(000)

TOTAL
US$ (000)

TOTAL
bbls (000)

Corporate – Tullow Oil Gabon SA

Corporate – Tulipe Oil SA

M'Boundi

Total Congo

CI-26 Espoir

Corporate

Total Côte d'Ivoire

Ceiba

Okume Complex

Corporate

Total Equatorial Guinea

Echira

Etame

Ezanga

Limande

M'Oba

Niungo

Tchatamba

Turnix

Oba

Total Gabon

Jubilee

TEN

Company level

Total Ghana

Company level

Total Guinea

PSC B (Chinguetti EEA)

Corporate

Total Mauritania

South Omo

Corporate

Total Ethiopia

Corporate

Total Kenya

Block 3111

Corporate

Total Madagascar

Corporate

Total Mozambique

Company level

Total Namibia

 226 

 226 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 149 

 346 

 – 

 495 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

664

–

–

664

–

 – 

 47 

 – 

 47 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 274 

 – 

 274 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 37,381 

 37,381 

 15,775 

 2,122 

 17,897 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

– 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 9 

 9 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1 

 1 

 – 

 – 

 1,304 

3,124

 706 

 3,236 

 157 

 3,013 

 9,413 

 1,088 

94

 1,106 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

20,000

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

– 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 60 

 60 

 75 

 75 

 258 

 70 

 328 

 441

 – 

 441 

 486 

 486 

 300 

 300 

 600 

 – 

 – 

 127 

 127 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

– 

 – 

 915 

 237 

 3,190 

 4,342 

 60 

 60 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 197 

 – 

 197 

 23,241 

 20,000 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 344 

 – 

 – 

 344 

 – 

–

 3,709 

 3,709 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (1,780)

 (1,780)

 157 

 157 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 69 

 – 

 – 

 69 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 59 

 59 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 588 

 – 

 2 

 590 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 63,321 

 63,321 

 16,597 

 16,597 

 94,114 

 94,114 

10,215

10,215

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1,270 

 1,270 

 – 

 49 

 49 

 9,003 

 9,003 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 25 

 25 

 – 

 61 

 61 

 – 

 160 

 160 

 21,634 

 21,634 

 – 

 3 

 3 

 – 

 – 

 188 

 188 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 993 

 993 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 250 

 250 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 700 

 700 

 – 

150 

150 

 958 

 958 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

55

55

 – 

 – 

 274 

 59 

 333 

 – 

 – 

 37,381 

 37,381 

 1,304 

3,124

 20,706 

 3,236 

 157 

 3,013 

 9,413 

 1,088 

 16,870 

 1,106 

 2,124 

62,141

 915 

 237 

191,456

192,608

 160 

 160 

 258 

 2,101 

 2,359 

 638 

 (1,421)

 (783)

 33,240

 33,240 

 300 

 303 

 603 

 1 

 1 

 370 

 370 

 226 

 226 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 149 

 346 

 – 

 495 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 664 

 – 

 – 

 664 

 – 

 – 

 47 

 – 

 47 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

www.tullowoil.com  173

3 
 
TRANSPARENCY DISCLOSURE 2015 (UNAUDITED) CONTINUED

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

Production 
entitlements
bbls (000)

Production 
entitlements
US$ (000)

Income taxes
US$ (000)

Royalties 
(cash only)
US$ (000)

Dividends
US$ (000)

Bonus 
payments
US$ (000)

Licence  
fees
US$ (000)

Infrastructure 
improvement 
payments
US$ (000)

UK Regulations

VAT

Stamp duty

Withholding 

tax

Carried 

interests

Customs 

Training 

duties

allowances

US$(000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$(000)

Voluntary disclosure

PAYE & 

national 

insurance

US$ (000)

TOTAL

bbls (000)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

–

 505 

 505 

 36,059 

 36,059 

 (2,919)

(2,919) 

–

–

 – 

 (5,755)

(5,755) 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (144,867)

 (144,867)

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

7,080

7,080

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

1,432

 274 

(54,609) 

 23,241 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 11 

 11 

 – 

 – 

 128 

–

 128 

 259 

 259 

 263 

 391 

 1,002 

 186 

 1,370 

 71 

 3,283 

 10 

 10 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 260 

 299 

 434 

 634 

 1,627 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 14 

 14 

 258 

 258 

 – 

 516 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 238 

 238 

 – 

 – 

 20,000 

7,435

 5,367 

80,268

 134,273 

 94,114 

11,343

Payments in kind in  

US$ (000)

 TOTAL US$ (000) 

1,432

95,928

391,429

 472 

 472 

 907 

 907 

 (2,593)

 (2,593)

 400 

 400 

 (3,797)

 (3,797)

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (26,589)

 (26,589)

 (33)

 (33)

 (28,803)

 6,286 

 6,286 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 270 

 270 

 5,428 

 5,428 

 6,121 

 6,121 

 8,910 

 8,910 

 490 

 490 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 10,597 

 10,597 

 242 

 242 

 63,015 

 63,015 

 153 

 153 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 135 

 135 

 – 

 – 

 276 

 276 

 102 

 102 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 7 

 7 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 100 

 100 

2,598

TOTAL

US$ (000)

 6,405 

 6,405 

 49,660 

 49,660 

 3,398 

 3,398 

 128 

 102 

 230 

 (4,606)

 (4,606)

 263 

 391

 1,002

 186

 1,370

 (137,861)

(134,649)

301

301

 258 

 258 

 242 

 758 

 260 

 299 

 434 

44,378

45,371

 220 

 220 

295,501

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

Licence / Company level

Corporate

Total South Africa

Corporate

Total Uganda

Corporate

Total Ireland

Walton Morant

Corporate

Total Jamaica

Corporate

Total Netherlands

PL 405B

PL 406

PL 438

PL 519

PL 550

Corporate

Total Norway

Corporate

Total Pakistan

Block 47

Block 54

Corporate

Total Suriname

Murdoch

Ketch

Schooner

Corporate

Total UK

Corporate

Total Uruguay

TOTAL

174  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Licence / Company level

bbls (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

US$ (000)

Production 

entitlements

Production 

Royalties 

(cash only)

entitlements

Income taxes

Dividends

payments

Bonus 

Licence  

fees

Infrastructure 

improvement 

payments

US$ (000)

UK Regulations

Voluntary disclosure

Withholding 
tax
US$ (000)

PAYE & 
national 
insurance
US$ (000)

VAT
US$(000)

Stamp duty
US$ (000)

Carried 
interests
US$ (000)

Customs 
duties
US$ (000)

Training 
allowances
US$(000)

Corporate

Total South Africa

Corporate

Total Uganda

Corporate

Total Ireland

Walton Morant

Corporate

Total Jamaica

Corporate

Total Netherlands

PL 405B

PL 406

PL 438

PL 519

PL 550

Corporate

Total Norway

Corporate

Total Pakistan

Total Suriname

Block 47

Block 54

Corporate

Murdoch

Ketch

Schooner

Corporate

Total UK

Corporate

Total Uruguay

TOTAL

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

–

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

–

 505 

 505 

 36,059 

 36,059 

 (2,919)

(2,919) 

 (5,755)

(5,755) 

 (144,867)

 (144,867)

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

7,080

7,080

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 11 

 11 

 – 

 – 

 128 

–

 128 

 259 

 259 

 263 

 391 

 1,002 

 186 

 1,370 

 71 

 3,283 

 10 

 10 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 260 

 299 

 434 

 634 

 1,627 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 14 

 14 

 258 

 258 

 516 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 238 

 238 

 – 

 – 

1,432

 274 

(54,609) 

 23,241 

 20,000 

7,435

 5,367 

 472 

 472 

 907 

 907 

 (2,593)

 (2,593)

–

 – 

 – 

 400 

 400 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (3,797)

 (3,797)

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (26,589)

 (26,589)

 (33)

 (33)

 (28,803)

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 6,286 

 6,286 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 270 

 270 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 5,428 

 5,428 

 6,121 

 6,121 

 8,910 

 8,910 

–

 – 

 – 

 490 

 490 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 10,597 

 10,597 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 242 

 242 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 63,015 

 63,015 

 153 

 153 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 135 

 135 

 – 

 – 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

80,268

 134,273 

 94,114 

11,343

 – 

 – 

 276 

 276 

 – 

 – 

–

 102 

 102 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 7 

 7 

–

–

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 100 

 100 

2,598

TOTAL
US$ (000)
 6,405 

 6,405 

 49,660 

 49,660 

 3,398 

 3,398 

 128 

 102 

 230 

 (4,606)

 (4,606)

 263 

 391

 1,002

 186

 1,370

 (137,861)

(134,649)

301

301

 258 

 258 

 242 

 758 

 260 

 299 

 434 

44,378
45,371

 220 
 220 

TOTAL
bbls (000)
 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

295,501
Payments in kind in  
US$ (000)
 TOTAL US$ (000) 

1,432

95,928

391,429

www.tullowoil.com  175

3 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

TULLOW OIL PLC SUBSIDIARIES
AS AT 9 FEBRUARY 2016

Company name
Hardman Mauritania Finance Pty Ltd 
Hardman Oil and Gas Pty Ltd
Hardman Petroleum (Uganda) Pty Ltd
Hardman Petroleum (West Africa) Pty Ltd
Hardman Petroleum Tanzania Pty Ltd 
Hardman Resources Pty Ltd 
Tullow Chinguetti Production Pty Ltd
Tullow Petroleum (Mauritania) Pty Ltd
Tullow Uganda Operations Pty Ltd
Tullow Do Brasil Petroleo E Gas Ltda 
Eagle Drill Limited
Tullow (EA) Holdings Limited 
Energy Africa UK Limited
Planet Oil International Limited
Planet Oil Limited
Tullow CMS (North Sea) Limited
Tullow Energy Limited
Tullow Exploration & Production UK Limited 
Tullow Greenland Exploration Limited
Tullow Group Services Limited
Tullow Guinea Limited
Tullow Mozambique Limited
Tullow Jamaica Limited
Tullow Oil (International) Norge Limited
Tullow Oil 100 Limited
Tullow Oil 101 Limited
Tullow Oil Finance Limited
Tullow Oil SK Limited
Tullow Oil SNS Limited
Tullow Oil SPE Limited
Tullow Oil TS Limited
Tullow Uruguay Limited
Hardman Petroleum France S.A.S. 
Tulipe Oil SA
Tullow Oil Gabon SA
Hardman Petroleum Holdings Ltd 
Tullow Oil (Mauritania) Ltd
Tullow Oil Holdings (Guernsey) Ltd
Invest In Africa 
Tullow Oil Ltd
Tullow Oil Overseas Finance Limited
Tullow Congo Limited
Tullow Equatorial Guinea Ltd
Tullow Gabon Holdings Limited
Tullow Gabon Limited
Tullow Kudu Ltd
Tullow Mauritania Ltd
Tullow Senegal Ltd
Tullow Uganda Ltd
Tullow Cote D’Ivoire Exploration Ltd
Tullow Cote D’Ivoire Ltd
Tullow Ghana Ltd 

176  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

Country of Incorporation
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Australia
Brazil
British Virgin Islands
British Virgin Islands
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
Scotland
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
England & Wales
France
Gabon
Gabon
Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey
Ireland
Ireland
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Isle of Man
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey

% of nominal value 
of shares held (all 
ordinary shares)
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
50%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
50%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Type of Ownership
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Direct
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Direct
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect

Company name
Tullow India Operations Ltd
Tullow Madagascar Ltd 
Tullow Oil International Ltd
Tullow Pakistan (Developments) Ltd 
Tullow 101 Netherlands B.V.
Tullow 6 B.V.
Tullow Angola B.V.
Tullow DRC B.V.
Tullow Ethiopia B.V.
Tullow Exploration & Production B.V.
Tullow Exploration & Production Netherlands B.V.
Tullow Global Compliance B.V.
Tullow Guyana B.V.
Tullow Hardman Holdings B.V.
Tullow Kenya B.V.
Tullow Liberia B.V.
Tullow Mexico B.V.
Tullow Netherlands Holding Cooperatief B.A. 
Tullow Overseas Holdings B.V.
Tullow Sierra Leone B.V.
Tullow Suriname B.V.
Tullow Tanzania B.V.
Tullow Uganda Holdings B.V.
Tullow Zambia B.V.
Tullow Oil Norge AS
Tullow Oil (Bream) Norge AS
Energy Africa Bredasdorp (Pty) Ltd
Tullow South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Tullow St. Lucia Holdings Ltd 
Tullow Trinidad Ltd 
Tullow Oil Canada Ltd
T.U. S.A.

Country of Incorporation
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Netherlands
Norway
Norway
South Africa
South Africa
St. Lucia
Trinidad and Tobago
Canada
Uruguay

% of nominal value 
of shares held (all 
ordinary shares)
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Type of Ownership
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Direct
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect
Indirect

Note 1. All holdings in the second from right column are of ordinary shares, and the proportion of the nominal value of shares held.
Note 2. The financial results and the financial position of all companies listed above are included in the Tullow Oil Plc consolidated accounts. 

www.tullowoil.com  177

3 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

GLOSSARY

AGM 
AFS 
APP
ASOC

bbl 
bcf 
BDT
boe 
boepd 
bopd 

¢ 
Capex
CISP
CMS 
CMS III 

CNOOC 
CSA
CSO

D&O 
DD&A 
DEFRA
DoA
DSBP 

E&A 
E&P
EBITDA 

EHS 
EITI 
EPS
EuroStoxx 
ESOS 
EWT

Annual General Meeting
Available for sale
African Partner Pool
Advanced Security Operations Centre

Barrel
Billion cubic feet
Business Delivery Team
Barrels of oil equivalent
Barrels of oil equivalent per day
Barrels of oil per day

Cent
Capital expenditure
Cyber Information Sharing Partnership
Caister Murdoch System
A group development of five satellite  
fields linked to CMS
China National Offshore Oil Corporation
Control self-assessment 
Civil Society Organisations

Development and Operations
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortisation
Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Delegation of Authority
Deferred Share Bonus Plan

Exploration and Appraisal
Exploration and Production
Earnings Before Interest, Tax, 
Depreciation and Amortisation
Environment, Health and Safety
Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative
Earnings per share
A European market index
Executive Share Option Scheme
Extended Well Test

FEED 
FID
FFD
FPSO

FRC 
FRS 
FTSE 250

FVTPL 

G&H
GHG
GJFFD
GNPC 

HIPO 
HMRC

IAS 
IASB 
IFRS 
IIA
IMF
IMS
IOC
IR 
ITLOS

km 
KNPS
KPI 

LIBOR 
LTI 
LTIF 

Front End Engineering and Design
Final Investment Decision
Full Field Development
Floating Production Storage and 
Offloading vessel
Financial Reporting Council
Financial Reporting Standard
Equity index consisting of the 101st to 350th largest 
UK listed companies by market capitalisation
Fair Value Through Profit or Loss

Gifts and hospitality 
Greenhouse gas
Greater Jubilee Full Field Development
Ghana National Petroleum Corporation Group 
Company and its subsidiary undertakings

High Potential Incident
HM Revenue & Customs

International Accounting Standard
International Accounting Standards Board
International Financial Reporting Standards
Invest in Africa
International Monetary Fund
Integrated Management System
International oil company
Investor Relations
International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea

Kilometres
Kenya National Police Service
Key Performance Indicator

London Interbank Offered Rate
Lost Time Injury
Frequency Rate measured in LTIs  
per million hours worked

178  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

TEN 
TIP
TGSS 
TSR 
TRI

Tweneboa – Enyenra – Ntomme
Tullow Incentive Plan
Tullow Group Scholarship Scheme
Total Shareholder Return
Total recordable injuries

UK GAAP

UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice

VAT 
VP
VPSHR

WAEP 
WHO
Wildcat

Value Added Tax
Vice President
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights

Weighted Average Exercise Price
World Health Organization
Exploratory well drilled in land not known  
to be an oil field

mmbo
mmboe 
mmscfd 
MoU 
MSP
MTM 
MVC
MVCF

Million barrels of oil
Million barrels of oil equivalent
Million standard cubic feet per day
Memorandum of Understanding
Major Simplification Project
Mark-to-Market
Motor vehicle collision 
Motor vehicle collision frequency

NGO

Opex
OSE

p
PAYE 
PEP
PoD 
PP&E
PRT 
PSA 
PSC 
PSP 

S&P 500

SC
SCT 
SEENT
SID
SIP 
SOGA 
SOP 
Sq km
SRI 
SSEA

Non-Governmental Organisation

Operating expenses
Organisation Strategy & Effectiveness 

Pence
Pay As You Earn
Politically exposed persons 
Plan of Development
Property, plant and equipment
Petroleum Revenue Tax
Production Sharing Agreement
Production Sharing Contract
Performance Share Plan

Standard & Poor’s 500, US stock market index  
based on market capitalisation
Supply Chain
Supplementary Corporation Tax
South East Etame North Tchibala
Senior Independent Director
Share Incentive Plan
Skills for oil and gas in Africa
Share Option Plan
Square kilometres
Socially Responsible Investment
Safety, Sustainability & External Affairs

www.tullowoil.com  179

3 
 
STAY UP TO DATE 
WWW.TULLOWOIL.COM

Our main corporate website has key information about our business,  
operations, investors, media, sustainability, careers and suppliers.

Online communications
Financial results, events, corporate 
reports, webcasts and fact books are  
all stored in the Investor Relations 
section of our website: 
www.tullowoil.com/investors

E-communications
All documents on the website are 
available to view without any particular 
software requirement other than the 
software which is available on the 
Group’s website.

2015 Annual Report and Accounts 
www.tullowoil.com/reports

Suppliers
Tullow’s online supplier form provides 
local and international companies the 
facility to register their interest to 
become a supplier:  
www.tullowoil.com/suppliers

For every shareholder who signs up for 
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is made to the eTree initiative run by 
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Company Secretary  
& registered office 
Kevin Massie
Tullow Oil plc  
9 Chiswick Park 
566 Chiswick High Road 
London  
W4 5XT 
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 20 3249 9000 
Fax: +44 20 3249 8801

To contact any of Tullow’s principal 
subsidiary undertakings,  
please find address details on  
www.tullowoil.com/contacts  
or send ‘in care of’ to Tullow’s 
registered address.

180  Tullow Oil plc 2015 Annual Report and Accounts

 
 
 
 
This report is printed on mixed source paper which is FSC® certified (the standards  
for well-managed forests, considering environmental, social and economic issues). 

Designed and produced by Black Sun Plc 

Printed by Pureprint Group

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Tullow Oil plc 

9 Chiswick Park 
566 Chiswick High Road 
London W4 5XT 
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)20 3249 9000 
Fax: +44 (0)20 3249 8801

Email: info@tullowoil.com 
Website: www.tullowoil.com