Union Jack Oil plc (LON: UJO), a UK focused onshore conventional oil and gas production, development and exploration company, has today provided its unaudited results for the Half Year ended 30th June 2019.
Highlights
• The successful drilling of the West Newton A-2 conventional appraisal well where initial petrophysical evaluation has identified a gross oil column of 45 metres underlying a gross gas column of approximately 20 metres within the Kirkham Abbey formation
• Following the drilling of the Biscathorpe-2 conventional well, confirmation by independent consultants Applied Petroleum Technology (UK) Limited of the likely presence of a 35 metre live oil column with API Gravity oil of 33º to 34º in the top of the Dinantian interval
• Data evaluated at Biscathorpe at the base of the analysed section, and wellsite readings, indicate possible additional pay at the base of the Dinantian interval
• Union Jack management’s view is that Biscathorpe remains one of the UK’s largest onshore un-appraised conventional hydrocarbon targets
• On development plans for the Wressle oil discovery, the encouraging decision by the North Lincolnshire Council that it will not be presenting evidence at the Public Enquiry to be held on 5 November 2019, and will withdraw its case in respect of the appeal subject to the agreement of acceptable planning conditions
• Cash balance of in excess of £2.8 million as at 20 September 2019
• Debt free
David Bramhill, Executive Chairman of Union Jack Oil commented:
“We have seen significant progress at our three key project interests, namely West Newton, Biscathorpe and Wressle. Developments at these three assets can be expected to provide an active stream of newsflow throughout the remainder of 2019 and beyond.
“At West Newton A-2, the result of the Extended Well Test has the potential to dramatically transform Union Jack. We anticipate further progress in our ongoing technical evaluation and appraisal of the West Newton A-1 and A-2 discoveries in the coming months that will help us confirm that West Newton is one of the largest onshore UK oil and gas ventures in recent decades.
“An ongoing technical evaluation at Biscathorpe also has the potential to identify a material resource with significant upside, as in the case of West Newton.
“Assuming our appeal at Wressle is supported and production from Wressle is established, under the current oil price environment, Wressle would provide material cash flows after project operating costs net to Union Jack. Bearing in mind Union Jack’s modest annual general and administrative costs, Wressle is expected to convert Union Jack into a cash flow positive company at the corporate level.
“The Board remains both confident and optimistic and the future of Union Jack looks bright.”
CHAIRMAN’S STATEMENT
I am pleased to present this Half Yearly Report for the six months ended 30 June 2019 to the shareholders of Union Jack Oil plc.
KEY ACTIVITIES IN THE PERIOD
The past six months, and the subsequent period to the date of writing this statement, have seen a number of positive events that augurs well for our strategy and that the Board believes will assist in delivering material growth in the medium term on our goal to build a sustainable, UK onshore focused, mid-tier conventional hydrocarbon producer.
Union Jack holds what the Board considers to be high-value material project interests with significant upside potential in our axis areas of the East Midlands, Humber Basin and East Yorkshire.
We are pleased to report that demonstrable progress has been made during the period, with the highlights being:
• The successful drilling of the West Newton A-2 conventional appraisal well, where initial petrophysical evaluation has identified a gross oil column of 45 metres underlying a gross gas column of approximately 20 metres within the Kirkham Abbey formation
• Following the drilling of the Biscathorpe-2 conventional well, confirmation by independent consultants Applied Petroleum Technology (UK) Limited of the likely presence of a 35 metre live oil column with API Gravity oil of 33º to 34º in the top of the Dinantian interval
• Data evaluated at Biscathorpe at the base of the analysed section, and wellsite readings, indicate possible additional pay at the base of the Dinantian interval.
• Union Jack management’s view is that Biscathorpe remains one of the UK’s largest onshore un-appraised conventional hydrocarbon targets
• On development plans for the Wressle oil discovery, the encouraging decision by the North Lincolnshire Council (“NLC”) that it will not be presenting evidence at the Public Enquiry to be held on 5 November 2019, and will withdraw its case in respect of the appeal subject to the agreement of acceptable planning conditions
• Cash balance of in excess of £2.8 million as at 20 September 2019
• Debt free
PEDL183 WEST NEWTON A1 AND A2 DISCOVERIES (16.665%)
During late 2018, Union Jack completed a farm-in to licence PEDL183 located in East Yorkshire and within the Western sector of the Southern Zechstein Basin, containing the West Newton A-1 discovery, with Rathlin Energy (UK) Limited, a subsidiary of Canadian registered Connaught Oil and Gas Ltd.
In April 2019, the West Newton A-2 conventional well was spudded, targeting the Kirkham Abbey and Cadeby formations. In June 2019, positive preliminary results were reported from the West Newton A-2 well that was drilled in a safe and competent manner by the Operator.
The well reached a total depth of 2,061 metres and 28 metres of core was recovered from the primary target, the Kirkham Abbey formation, and all planned logging operations were completed.
A gross 65 metre hydrocarbon interval was encountered within the Kirkham Abbey formation, indicating a substantial hydrocarbon accumulation, including a significant liquids component.
Based on the previously described data in conjunction with cuttings analysis and mudlogging data, a cased hole pulsed-neutron tool was run across the Kirkham Abbey zone as a means to differentiate between and confirm fluid saturations.
Initial petrophysical evaluation identified a gross oil column of 45 metres underlying a gross gas column of 20 metres. The West Newton A-2 well exhibits encouraging porosities on logs and in core, particularly in the identified oil zone, where in excess of 30 metres of good porosity has been measured. The core also exhibits natural fracturing which is confirmed by an imaging log run across the entire Kirkham Abbey interval.
The Operator and joint venture partners now believe that West Newton represents a potentially significant oil and gas development project rather than pure gas as originally perceived from information obtained from West Newton A-1 well and the subsequent Competent Person’s Report (“CPR”) prepared by Deloitte.
The Extended Well Test (“EWT”) programme has been temporarily suspended in order to review the well test design to deliver the necessary test information to validate this important onshore resource.
Additionally, the West Newton A-2 data provided a good tie to the high quality three component 3D seismic volume that covers the entire West Newton project area. This new data allows for a revised interpretation of the seismic volume incorporating the well and the newly identified gas over oil gross hydrocarbon volume.
Following the integration and evaluation of the core, petrophysical, seismic and test data, the Operator and joint venture partners intend to commission a revised CPR to re-assess volumetrics and revise NPV10 values based on the information acquired from the West Newton A-2 well.
PEDL253 BISCATHORPE (22%)
PEDL253 is within the proven hydrocarbon fairway of the South Humber Basin and is on-trend with the Saltfleetby gasfield, Keddington oilfield and the Louth and North Somercotes Prospects.
In February 2019, the Biscathorpe-2 well was drilled and logging operations were conducted. Preliminary analysis indicated that the primary objective, the Basal Westphalian Sandstone, was not encountered as the well was drilled high to prognosis and did not thicken as expected in the pre-drill model.
Union Jack’s independent technical team was greatly encouraged by the significant elevated gas readings and shows from logging supported by calculated oil saturations in the Dinantian Carbonate over an interval in excess of 150 metres, which included a suite of gas indications C1 to C5 and nC5, which is indicative of an effective petroleum system in close proximity to the Biscathorpe-2 well.
As a result of these compelling indications of hydrocarbons, the joint venture commissioned independent consultants APT to perform a detailed geochemical analysis of drill cutting samples taken from 20 intervals in the Biscathorpe-2 well.
The objective of the APT analysis was to provide geochemical evidence for the presence of live hydrocarbons, together with an estimate of the likely oil quality.
The APT report confirmed the occurrence of hydrocarbons in the Westphalian and Dinantian cutting samples analysed, validated by the presence of a full suite of gases ranging from methane to pentane.
The key result from the report was the likely presence of a 35 metre live oil column with API Gravity of 33º to 34º in the top of the Dinantian interval. Additionally, data evaluated at the base of the analysed section were suggestive of possible extra hydrocarbon pay at the base of the Dinantian interval.
The information derived from the revised petrophysical analysis has upgraded the Biscathorpe-2 well result, indicating proximity to an effective petroleum system, and validates Union Jack’s and its joint venture partners’ belief in the additional potential that exists within the PEDL253 licence area.
Following the drilling of the Biscathorpe-2 well and subsequent technical analysis, Union Jack management’s view is that this prospect remains one of the UK’s largest onshore un-appraised conventional hydrocarbon targets, given the attractions of the Basal Westphalian sandstone, its primary target reservoir, and the hydrocarbons identified within the Dinantian interval.
The joint venture is continuing with detailed seismic re-processing and further technical studies to confirm the next steps in relation to a possible side track of the Biscathorpe-2 well.
PEDL180/PEDL182 WRESSLE DISCOVERY (27.5%)
Located in Lincolnshire on the Western margin of the Humber Basin, PEDL180 and PEDL182 contain the substantial Wressle conventional oil discovery with proven reserves and significant upside from contingent resources, from which first commercial oil is expected to flow at a constrained rate of 500 barrels of oil per day following successful planning approval.
In July 2019, the joint venture received notification that, in a closed meeting, a decision was made by the NLC that it will not be presenting evidence at the Public Enquiry to be held on
5 November 2019, and will withdraw its case in respect of the appeal subject to the agreement of acceptable planning conditions.
A Queen’s Counsel has been appointed to assist our appeal to obtain permission for development of this important conventional oil project.
The Wressle-1 well discovered hydrocarbons in 2014. During testing, a total of 710 barrels of oil equivalent per day were recovered from three separate reservoirs, the Ashover Grit, the Wingfield Flags and the Penistone flags. In September 2016, a CPR provided independent estimates of reserves and contingent and prospective oil and gas resources for the Wressle discovery of 2.15 million stock tank barrels classified as discovered (2P+2C).
OTHER PORTFOLIO INTERESTS
Other project interests within the Company’s portfolio include the producing Keddington oilfield, PEDL005(R) (20%), which we believe has significant upside, including other potential drill targets that can be easily accessed from the existing production site. In addition, the producing Fiskerton Airfield oilfield EXL294 (20%) will soon be seeing a workover exercise in order to increase production.
PEDL241 (20%) contains the drill ready North Kelsey Prospect which will be drilled during 2020 subject to securing farminees.
PEDL201 (26.25%) Widmerpool Gulf, formerly Burton on the Wolds, contains significant Bowland Hodder shale potential where Management is considering options to generate value from this licence interest. The favoured outcome from this potentially significant play type would be through an industry sale.
A comprehensive list of Union Jack’s licence interests can be found within the Half Yearly Report, which can be viewed on the Company’s website www.unionjackoil.com.
CORPORATE AND FINANCIAL
Subsequent to the period under review, the Company, in July 2019, raised £2.25 million by way of an oversubscribed placing and subscription.
The funds raised enabled the Company to move forward on our potentially transformational three key project interests, namely:
· extended well testing at the significant oil discovery at the West Newton A-2 conventional appraisal well
· ongoing technical evaluation following drilling of the Biscathorpe-2 conventional appraisal well and
· the upcoming appeal on the proposed development of the material Wressle conventional oil discovery
Union Jack remains debt free and our cash balance stands in excess of £2.8 million as at 20th September 2019.
In June 2019, the Company completed the sale of its 7.5% interest in PEDL143 to UK Oil & Gas PLC for a consideration of £112,500. Payment in UKOG shares allows Union Jack to benefit from UKOG’s increased holding in PEDL143 and also the further exposure to UKOG’s wider Weald Basin assets and other projects.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our supportive shareholders, my fellow directors and our enthusiastic team of advisers, all of whom work closely with the Company and assist in helping us achieve our corporate goal of becoming a sustainable UK onshore focused mid-tier conventional hydrocarbon producer.
SUMMARY
The period under review and subsequent events since 30 June 2019, have seen significant progress at our three key project interests, namely West Newton, Biscathorpe and Wressle. Developments at these three assets can be expected to provide an active stream of newsflow throughout the remainder of 2019 and beyond.
At West Newton A-2, the result of the EWT has the potential to dramatically transform Union Jack. We anticipate further progress in our ongoing technical evaluation and appraisal of the West Newton A-1 and A-2 discoveries in the coming months that will help us confirm that West Newton is one of the largest onshore UK oil and gas ventures in recent decades.
An ongoing technical evaluation at Biscathorpe also has the potential to identify a material resource with significant upside, as in the case of West Newton.
Assuming our appeal at Wressle is supported and production from Wressle is established, under the current oil price environment, Wressle would provide material cash flows after project operating costs net to Union Jack. Bearing in mind Union Jack’s modest annual general and administrative costs, Wressle is expected to convert Union Jack into a cash flow positive company at the corporate level.
The Board remains both confident and optimistic and the future of Union Jack looks bright.
David Bramhill
Executive Chairman
23 September 2019
