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Genel Energy changes Organisational Structure

Genel Energy has announced the appointment of Mike Adams (pictured) as Technical Director, and PDMR, with immediate effect.

The appointment follows a repositioning of the role of Chief Operating Officer (‘COO’), which is now split into ‘pre-production’ and ‘on production’ business lines. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, Mike is responsible for all pre-production activities including exploration, appraisal, and new asset acquisitions.

Mike has 28 years of experience in the oil and gas industry in a wide variety of exploration, exploitation and global business development roles. Prior to joining Genel in 2012, Mike worked in a series of technical and leadership positions for companies including British Gas, Amerada Hess, Gulf Keystone Petroleum, and Sterling Energy.

Genel expects to appoint a new COO in due course, who will be responsible for the performance of operated and non-operated producing assets.

Mike has joined Genel’s Executive Committee, along with Vrijesh Kumar (‘VK’) Gupta, who has been appointed Head of HSE and Risk Management. VK joined Genel in 2014 as Head of HSSE. There has not been a lost time incident at Genel/TTOPCO operations since 2015, constituting over eight million working hours, and Genel hit its target of zero losses of primary containment in 2018. TTOPCO has also achieved a five star grading from the Five Star Occupational Health and Safety Audit, which was conducted by the British Safety Council.

VK has 30 years of experience in oil and gas industry. Immediately prior to joining Genel, he was Vice President for HSSE for BG Group, UK, and has worked with ONGC and Enron Oil & Gas.

Bill Higgs, Chief Executive of Genel, said:

“As Genel’s operations expand we are growing capability across the Company. Work is beginning at both Sarta and Qara Dagh, which Mike was integral in bringing into the portfolio, and he and his team will work with Chevron to optimise the development of these assets. He will also drive our ongoing work to strengthen the Company through value-enhancing acquisitions. VK has done a great job in leading the development of our safety culture at Genel, and will continue to ensure that our focus remains on world-class performance.

“I am pleased to have them both join our Executive Committee, bringing their years of industry experience as we progress our growth plans.“

(Source: Genel Energy)

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GKP CFO Steps Down

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced that Sami Zouari (pictured), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), will be stepping down as CFO and a Director of the Company during the second half of the year, and will leave the business by no later than 2 December 2019.

Mr Zouari has been CFO of GKP since January 2015 overseeing both financial and commercial activities in the company.  Since joining, he has played a key role in the strategic turnaround of the business, in particular leading the 2016 implementation of a new capital structure, materially strengthening the Company’s balance sheet and bringing about a significant debt reduction.  In addition, he has overseen the $100 million bond refinancing completed in 2018, and, most recently, was instrumental in the introduction of the Company’s maiden dividend policy.

In addition to remuneration in respect of his six-month notice period which will run from the date of this announcement, Mr Zouari will remain eligible to receive a pro rata bonus under the Executive Bonus Scheme for the 2019 financial year.  With respect to Mr Zouari’s current outstanding options held under the 2016 Value Creation Plan (VCP), these will be retained by Mr Zouari and will vest according to the rules and normal operation of the VCP, subject to performance conditions being attained.

A leading search firm will be appointed to find Mr Zouari’s successor and the process is expected to be concluded over the coming months.  A further announcement will be made in due course.

Jaap Huijskes, Chairman of the Company, said:

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Sami for his substantial positive contribution over the past four and a half years.  He has played a pivotal role in bringing Gulf Keystone back from the brink of collapse and helping to shape it into the profitable company it is today.

“We wish Sami well for the future and look forward to an orderly handover to his successor over the coming months.”

Jón Ferrier, Chief Executive Officer, said: 

“It has been a privilege to work with Sami who has been key in the overall turnaround of the company.  His legacy will be the strong financial position GKP enjoys today, which is in marked contrast to the Company he joined in early 2015. 

“I look forward to continuing to work closely with him over the coming months, at what remains an important time for us as we materially build production from the Shaikan Field.

“I echo the Chairman’s thanks for his important contribution to the Company throughout his tenure as CFO, and have no doubt that he will be employing his intellect, strategic grasp and leadership skills in his future endeavours.“

(Source: GKP)

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GKP Maintains Production Guidance; Shares Up

Shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) were trading up 3 percent on Monday after the company provided an operational and corporate update on its operations in Iraqi Kurdistan.

Analyst Peel Hunt has reportedly re-issued its “Buy” rating during the morning.

Operational

  • Operational activity continues at the Shaikan Field (pictured) to complete the debottlenecking programme in 2019, in order to achieve the near-term production target of 55,000 bopd in Q1 2020
  • Progress is continuing with the export pipeline from PF-1 to the main export pipeline, which remains on schedule to become operational mid-year, at which point trucking of crude oil will be eliminated
  • The SH-1 workover to replace the existing tubing with larger bore tubing, has now been successfully concluded.  The result was positive with an increase in production from the well of approximately 50% to over 6,500 bopd
  • The IOT Rig 1 has been demobilised.  It will now complete a short workover for another operator nearby before returning to Shaikan for the remaining workovers in the 55,000 bopd expansion programme.  This will include the SH-3 tubing change-out, along with installation of Electric Submersible Pumps (“ESPs”) in wells SH-5, SH-10 and SH-11
  • DQE’s Rig 40 is currently being prepared ahead of the imminent Jurassic drilling campaign, which remains on schedule to be mobilised for the SH-H well later this month

Corporate

  • A renewal of the crude oil sales agreement has been signed between Gulf Keystone Petroleum International Ltd and the Kurdistan Regional Government (“KRG”)
    • The KRG will purchase Shaikan crude oil directly injected at PF-2 into the Atrush export pipeline at the monthly average Dated Brent oil price minus a total discount of c.$21 per barrel for crude
    • Until the PF-1 pipeline is completed, the KRG will continue to purchase crude oil delivered by truck at a discount of c.$22 per barrel
    • The above discounts account for quality, domestic and international transportation costs
    • The agreement is effective from 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2020
  • The Company has received final clearance from Sonatrach in relation to the Ferkane Permit (Block 126). This officially marks Gulf Keystone’s exit from its Algerian operations.
    • This positive development will allow the Company to release $10 million of past liabilities

Outlook

Despite Q1 production having been affected by SH-1 being offline for the workover, and the export system being shut-down for maintenance for a week earlier this month, the Company maintains its 2019 gross average production guidance in the range of 32,000 – 38,000 bopd

 (Sources: GKP, Yahoo!, Financial Headlines)

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GKP to Increase Production; Shares Rise

Shares in Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) closed 4.3 percent higher on Wednesday after the company provided an operational and corporate update.

Operational

  • Production operations, underpinned by strong performance of the Shaikan Jurassic reservoir, continue in line with expectations. Average gross production of 31,563 barrels of oil per day (“bopd”) was achieved in 2018, at the upper end of the 27,000 – 32,000 bopd guidance.
  • The plant debottlenecking programme required to expand gross production capacity to 55,000 bopd from PF-1 and PF-2 remains on schedule for completion towards the end of 2019.
  • GKP has signed an agreement with Independent Oil Tools to use ‘Rig 1’ during the Company’s workover programme to replace tubing on SH-1 and SH-3 wells and install downhole pumps (“ESPs”) on three other existing wells. The rig has been mobilised and is currently performing a workover on the SH-1 well to install larger bore tubing to increase productivity.
  • GKP has also signed an agreement with the rig operator, DQE, to use ‘Rig 40’ for its upcoming drilling campaign, due to start in March 2019, with the first four wells (needed for the 55,000 bopd target) expected to be completed in Q1 2020.
  • Since July 2018, all production from PF-2 has been exported via the Atrush export pipeline which connects to the main Kurdish export pipeline. Additional pumps along with a temporary unloading facility have now been installed at PF-2 which allows the majority of production from PF-1 to be trucked to PF-2 and exported via pipeline. Today, only ca.3,000 bopd are exported by truck via Fishkhabour which lowers HSSE exposure.
  • Further progress has been made, including delivery of all 16″ pipeline to the field, on the installation by KAR Group of the pipeline also connecting PF-1 to the Atrush export pipeline. This remains on schedule to be brought into service mid-2019, at which point the residual trucking of crude oil will be eliminated.
  • GKP and its partner MOL have agreed on a staged investment programme to increase gross production up to 110,000 bopd by 2024. The revised Field Development Plan was submitted for approval to the Ministry of Natural Resources in October 2018. The current expansion to 55,000 bopd is already underway.

Corporate

  • GKP has continued to receive regular oil payments from the Kurdistan Regional Government, with cash receipts of $225 million net to GKP during 2018.
  • Cash balance of $294 million as at 15 January 2019. The Company remains fully funded to complete the expansion to 55,000 bopd.
  • Gross capital expenditure guidance for the total 55,000 bopd project phase remains unchanged at $200 million to $230 million.
  • Of the 2018 approved gross budget of $91 million, ca.$40 million has been transferred to early 2019 which was primarily driven by delays in delivery of drilling and well completion equipment.

Outlook

  • Given the active 2019 investment programme, particularly in new wells and workovers, the Company anticipates improved production levels this year and expects gross average production guidance to be in the range of 32,000 – 38,000 bopd.
  • The above guidance takes account the latest drilling and project schedules, but also the temporary plant shut-downs required in 2019 for the tie-in of new facilities and wells being offline while workovers are taking place.
  • 55,000 bopd production target moved to early 2020 due to delays in the delivery of equipment, affecting the start date of the drilling campaign, originally January, now March 2019.
  • The Company intends to host a Capital Markets Day in the first quarter of 2019. Further details will be announced at a later date.

Commenting, Jón Ferrier, CEO, said:

“Having successfully laid the foundations for our expansion plans in 2018, we are very pleased to have now initiated our new investment programme at Shaikan.

“We continue to make considerable operational headway as we look to safely increase production to 55,000 bopd, in line with our strategy. 2019 is set to be another important year for Gulf Keystone and we look forward to keeping our stakeholders updated on our ongoing progress.”

(Source: GKP)

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GKP appoints new Non-Executive Director

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced the appointment of Kimberley Wood as a Non-Executive Director with effect from 01 October 2018.

Kimberley Wood is a legal professional with 18 years’ experience and a specialist in the oil and gas sector.  Most recently she was Head of the Oil and Gas for EMEA at Norton Rose Fulbright LLP and remains a Senior Consultant for the firm. Throughout her career she has advised a wide range of companies in the sector, from small independents through to super majors.

Ms. Wood was a Partner at Vinson & Elkins RLLP from February 2011 to April 2015, and was previously at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP. She was included as an expert in Energy and Natural Resources in the 2018 “Expert Guide” series and Women in Business Law, 2018 and is a member of the Advisory Board to the City of London Geological Forum.

Ms. Wood is currently a Non-Executive Director of Africa Oil Corp., an E&P company listed on the TSX (Canada) and Nasdaq OMX (Stockholm), with assets in Kenya and Ethiopia and a member of the Lundin Group.

Following Ms. Wood’s appointment, the Board will review the composition of the Board Committees.

Jaap Huijskes, Gulf Keystone’s Non-Executive Chairman, said:

“We are pleased to welcome Kimberley to the Board of Gulf Keystone Petroleum. She is a highly respected legal practitioner who has been counselling Boards for the past two decades.  We very much look forward to Kimberly’s contribution, in particular in this exciting phase of investment and of markedly increasing production from Shaikan.”

(Source: GKP)

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GKP confirms Shaikan Payment

By John Lee.

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has confirmed that a gross payment of $27.0 million ($21.2 million net to GKP) has been received from the Kurdistan Regional Government for Shaikan crude oil sales during May 2018.

(Source: GKP)

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GKP Appoints New Director

Following the earlier announcement that Philip Dimmock will retire and thus not seek re-election at today’s Annual General Meeting, Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has announced the appointment of Martin Angle as Senior Independent Non-Executive Director with effect from Monday 16th July 2018.

Mr Angle has had a distinguished executive career across investment banking, private equity and industry. His previous roles include senior positions with SG Warburg & Co. Ltd, Morgan Stanley, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, as well as the Group Finance Director at TI Group plc, then a FTSE100 company.

More recently, he spent time at Terra Firma Capital Partners where he held various senior roles in its portfolio companies. As a Non-Executive Director he has served on a number of Boards including Savills plc, where he was the Senior Independent Director, National Exhibition Group (Chairman), Severstal, and Dubai International Capital.

He currently chairs the Remuneration Committee and is a member of the Audit, Nomination and Sustainability Committees at Pennon Group, a FTSE 250 company.

On joining the GKP Board following the Annual General Meeting, Mr Angle will also succeed Philip Dimmock as Chairman of the Remuneration Committee and join the Audit and Risk Committee.

Jaap Huijskes, Gulf Keystone’s Non-Executive Chairman, said:

“We are very pleased to welcome Martin Angle to the Board. Martin brings a depth of financial, commercial and boardroom experience to the Company and we look forward to his support and counsel at this exciting time as we prepare to invest to increase production at Shaikan.

“On behalf of everyone at the Company, we would also like to thank Philip Dimmock for his considerable contribution to the Board since his appointment; he leaves the Company at a time when the Company has strengthened considerably.“

(Source: GKP)

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GKP Completes $100m Bond Issue

Gulf Keystone Petroleum Ltd., operator of the Shaikan Field in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, has announced the successful completion of the private placement of a 5-year senior unsecured $100 million bond issue (the “New Notes”).

The New Notes will be issued at 100 percent of par and carry a 10 percent fixed semi-annual coupon. The bond placement received strong investor demand, both from existing and new investors across international markets and was oversubscribed.

The New Notes issue is expected to settle on or about 25 July 2018, subject to customary conditions precedent. An application will be made for the New Notes to be listed on an appropriate recognised exchange. The proceeds from the New Notes will be used to refinance all of Gulf Keystone’s existing $100 million Guaranteed Notes due 2021 (the “Existing Notes”).

With respect to the Existing Notes that have not tendered for exchange, the Company intends to exercise the option to redeem all of the Existing Notes then outstanding at par value according to the call option, expected to take place on 26 July 2018.

Jón Ferrier (pictured), Gulf Keystone’s Chief Executive Officer, said: 

“Following our recent announcement of the resumption of investments at the Shaikan Field to increase production to 55,000 bopd, an increase by about 70% compared to current levels, this refinancing resets the Company’s capital structure that was put in place in conjunction with the restructuring in 2016. This is another positive milestone for the company and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

“We also look forward to updating the market on our plans to increase production to 75,000 bopd and up to 110,000 bopd in due course.“

Sami Zouari, Gulf Keystone’s Chief Financial Officer, said:

“The refinancing confirms the substantial progress achieved by the Company. The New Notes considerably strengthen the Company’s financial capabilities as we embark on our next investment phases in the Shaikan field.”

(Source: GKP)

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GKP may issue $100m Bond

Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has mandated Pareto Securities to arrange fixed income investor meetings in conjunction with a potential bond issue.

Following these meetings, and subject to market conditions and acceptable terms, a 5-year senior unsecured bond issue of $100 million (the “New Notes”) may take place.

The proceeds from the New Notes will be used to refinance Gulf Keystone’s existing $100 million Guaranteed Notes due 2021 (the “Existing Notes”).

Subject to market conditions, offer restrictions and the successful closing of the New Notes, Gulf Keystone invites holders of the Existing Notes to offer to exchange their outstanding Existing Notes for the New Notes.

With respect to any Existing Notes not tendered for exchange, the Company intends to exercise the option to redeem all of the Existing Notes then outstanding.

(Source: GKP)