Xcite Energy Limited Announces Results for 3 and 6 Month Periods Ended 30 June 2014

ABERDEENSHIRE, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - Aug 14, 2014) - Xcite Energy Ltd (TSX VENTURE: XEL) (LSE: XEL)

TSX-V: XEL; LSE: XEL

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION

14 August 2014

Xcite Energy Limited
("Xcite Energy" or the "Company")

Results for the 3 and 6 Month Periods Ended 30 June 2014

Xcite Energy announces its results for the 3 and 6 month periods ended 30 June 2014.

Highlights for the year to date

• Memorandum of Understanding signed with Aibel AS, further enhancing the industry service provider partnership for the development of the Bentley field, which already includes AMEC Group Ltd., Ove Arup & Partners Ltd. and Teekay Shipping Norway AS.
  
  
• Collaboration Agreement signed with Statoil (U.K.) Ltd. and Shell U.K. Ltd., for the sharing of technical and operational information to evaluate potential synergies and collaboration in the development of the Bentley and Bressay oil fields.
  
  
• US$ 140 million raised through the issue of senior secured bonds and issue of new equity share capital, and repayment of the US$ 80 million of unsecured loan notes.
  
  
• Upgrade in 1P, 2P and 3P oil reserves for the Bentley field to 203 MMstb, 257 MMstb and 317 MMstb, respectively, effective 31 December 2013 and based on an initial 35 year production period.
  
  
• Material Licence extension granted by the Department of Energy and Climate Change for the Bentley field until 31 December 2016.
  
  
• Profit for the 3 month period ended 30 June 2014 of £0.51 million.
  
  
• Cash balance of £41.5 million as at 30 June 2014.
  
  

Rupert Cole, Chief Executive Officer of Xcite Energy, commented:

"We have continued to make good progress towards our near term objective of the submission of the field development plan, with expansion of the development group, continuing engineering work and constructive contract discussions. With the industry beginning to recognise what can be achieved with an enhanced partnership model and the collaboration initiatives noted from the recently published Wood Review, I am very pleased that the efforts of the team are translating into commercial agreements to develop the Bentley field. With much to do in the coming months, we shall keep stakeholders updated at each step of the way."

Outlook for the balance of 2014

Pre-FEED/assurance engineering, project planning and contract negotiations with existing development partners are underway. The Company continues its discussions with additional development partners to complement the Bentley development group, including drilling contractors and services companies as part of its rig tender process and overall well strategy. Xcite Energy will shortly be mobilising a survey vessel to undertake the pre-FEED geotechnical site investigation for the Arup designed ACE platform.

The benefits from working with its development partners are becoming evident, as the development group is able to identify and address the key design, engineering, execution and integration issues that will affect the core development assets and the overall development cost and schedule. In addition, there are potential opportunities to realise purchasing and logistical synergies for the benefit of the project as a whole.

The Company continues to have discussions with other potential partners as part of its funding strategy, as set out in its full year results published on 27 March 2014. The Company's aim remains focused on reducing the front-end cash requirements of the project by exploring the potential use of asset financing for the ACE platform, leasing of certain key assets (such as the FSO and drilling rig) and some financial participation by its existing development partners. By reducing the initial funding requirement, the Company intends to widen the scope of companies with whom it can engage.

The recent bond financing and the repayment of the unsecured loan notes has provided a stable financial footing during a key period for the Company as it continues to bring together a technically and financially compliant field development plan for the Bentley field with its development partners.

The following tables summarise the Group's financial performance in the 3 and 6 months ended 30 June 2014 and the comparatives for the 3 and 6 months ended 30 June 2013. 

		6 months ended 30 June		3 months ended 30 June		6 months ended 30 June		3 months ended 30 June
Income Statement Information		2014		2014		2013		2013
		£m		£m		£m		£m
Net profit		0.47		0.51		8.3		10.0
Basic earnings per share in pence		0.16p		0.17p		2.85p		3.43p
Diluted earnings per share in pence		0.14p		0.15p		2.56p		3.07p

		6 months ended 30 June		3 months ended 30 June		6 months ended 30 June		3 months ended 30 June
Cash Flow Information		2014		2014		2013		2013
		£m		£m		£m		£m
Net cash flow from operations		9.8		10.8		13.5		14.8
Net cash flow from investing activities		(17.7)		(14.2)		(14.6)		(10.4)
Net cash flow from financing activities		27.5		27.5		0.4		-

		As at 30 June		As at 31 December		As at 30 June
Balance Sheet Information		2014		2013		2013
		£m		£m		£m
Total assets		301.9		269.5		265.4
Cash and cash equivalents		41.5		21.9		24.9
Current liabilities		1.0		49.0		46.9
Long term liabilities		72.7		3.5		0.9
Total net assets		228.2		217.0		217.7

The Company's unaudited Financial Results for the 3 and 6 Month Periods Ended 30 June 2014 can be found at the following link:

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/0771P_-2014-8-13.pdf

Forward-Looking Statements 

Certain statements contained in this announcement constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to the Company's future outlook and anticipated events or results and, in some cases, can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "target", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. These statements are based on certain factors and assumptions including expected growth, results of operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to us, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information is also subject to certain factors, including risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what we currently expect. These factors include risks associated with the oil and gas industry (including operational risks in exploration and development and uncertainties of estimates oil and gas potential properties), the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations and the ability of Xcite Energy to secure financing. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties are contained in the annual Management's Discussion and Analysis for Xcite Energy dated 26 March 2014 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ENQUIRIES: Xcite Energy Limited	+44 (0) 1483 549 063
Rupert Cole / Andrew Fairclough
Liberum (Joint Broker and Nominated Adviser)	+44 (0) 203 100 2222
Clayton Bush / Tim Graham
Morgan Stanley (Joint Broker)	+44 (0) 207 425 8000
Andrew Foster
Bell Pottinger	+44 (0) 207 861 3232
Mark Antelme / Henry Lerwill

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange