CatalystWireBeta

Publication of Independent Resource Evaluation

In brief · summary, not quotable

NSAI independent resource evaluation confirms 917 mmbbls gross contingent resources with US$1.8bn net value for Rockhopper's Sea Lion 35% stake.

  • Unrisked gross contingent resources 2C 917 mmbbls
  • Net to Rockhopper (2C) 321 mmbbls
  • Value of Rockhopper net 2C contingent resources US$1.8bn (prior at US$70 Brent oil price)
  • Development pending 2C gross 727 mmbbls
  • Development pending 2C net to Rockhopper 255 mmbbls
  • Estimated Capex to first oil phase 1 cUS$1.4bn
Full announcement

Select text to share a quote on X · sign in to keep highlights & notes in your RKH notes

Rockhopper Exploration plc (AIM: RKH), the oil and gas company with key interests in the North Falkland Basin ("NFB"), is pleased to announce the publication of an independent resource evaluation conducted by Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc. ("NSAI") on behalf of Rockhopper.

Key information:

Unrisked gross contingent resources 2C 917 mmbbls

o 321 mmbbls net to Rockhopper

  • Unrisked gross contingent resources development pending 2C 727 mmbbls

o 255 mmbbls net to Rockhopper

  • Value of the Rockhopper net 2C 255mmbbls 35% working interest in Sea Lion is US$1.8bn

o net of royalties and taxes at an oil price of US$70 Brent

Rockhopper holds a 35% working interest in Sea Lion and associated NFB licences and benefits from various loans from Navitas Petroleum ("Navitas") in relation to the development, which have been detailed in previous announcements.

Highlights of NSAI independent resource evaluation (oil only):

Unrisked Gross (100%) Contingent Resources Oil (mmbbls)

Low estimateBest estimateHigh Estimate
1C*2C*3C*
Development Pending470727939
Development On Hold78180300
Development Not Viable61015
Total5549171,254
*Totals may not sum precisely due to rounding adjustments
Unrisked Working Interest Contingent Resources Oil (mmbl)
Low estimateBest estimateHigh Estimate
1C*2C*3C*
Development Pending165255329
Development On Hold2763105
Development Not Viable235
Total194321439
*Totals may not sum precisely due to rounding adjustments
Economic AnalysisOil
Oil price US$70 Brent(MMBBL)NPV 10%
Unrisked Working InterestNet Contingent Cash Flow
Development PendingAfter Falkland Islands Royalty
Contingent Resourcesand Corporate Taxes (US$mm)
Low estimate (1C)1651,046
Best estimate (2C)2551,845
High estimate (3C)3292,474

The development scenario assumed in the report underlying the NPV calculation aligns with the previously disclosed multi-phase 2 FPSO scheme comprising the Northern Development Area phases 1, 2 & 3 along with the Central Development Area phases 1 & 2.

Navitas continues to estimate Capex to first oil on phase 1 of cUS$1.4 bn and in this regard has entered into a number of agreements including an MOU for a FPSO which is currently operating in UK offshore waters, along with various contracts for critical path long lead items including provision of subsea equipment and flexible flowlines.

Additional notes

In a change to previous naming conventions, the entirety of the oil deposits in licences PL032 and PL004 are now referred to as Sea Lion. Previously, Rockhopper had referred to Sea Lion separately from the Isobel / Elaine accumulation; that is no longer the case.

The difference of 3 mmbbls between the 2C development pending 727 mmbbls contained in the Rockhopper NSAI report and the 2C development pending 730 mmbbls in the Navitas NSAI report is a result of running the reports at different oil price decks resulting in a small change to the economic cut off for the field. All of the underlying data and other assumptions are consistent.

NSAI have also provided estimates of gross and working interest of i) Contingent Gas Resources, and ii) Prospective Oil and Gas Resources however the Company has not reproduced them in this summary as there is no plan for their development in place. NSAI's report also includes economic analysis with a low and high oil price sensitivity.

A full copy of the report will be available later today on the Rockhopper's website: https://rockhopperexploration.co.uk/

Sam Moody, Chief Executive Officer of Rockhopper, commented:

"We are delighted that NSAI have been able to confirm the best estimate potential value of Rockhopper's 35% working interest in Sea Lion is US$1.8bn net of taxes at an oil price of US$70.

"We continue to work with the Operator to unlock this potential value for all stakeholders."

The NSAI Independent Resource Evaluation has been produced to PRMS standards. approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers ("SPE").

FEEDFront-End Engineering Design
FPSOFloating Production Storage and Offloading
1CLow estimate scenario of contingent resources
2CBest (Most Likely, Mid) estimate scenario of contingent resources
3CHigh estimate scenario of contingent resources
MOUMemorandum of Understanding
NSAINetherland Sewell & Associates
bbls/dBarrels of crude oil per day
mmbblsMillions barrels of oil
PRMS2018 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers

Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.

Share this quote

Quote card
Post on X WhatsApp Download image

The link opens this announcement with the quote highlighted. Quotes are checked against the original text.

Add a note