6th Jun 2006 08:47
Ithaca Energy Inc06 June 2006 This announcement does not constitute or form part of any offer or invitation tosell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for,any shares or other securities of Ithaca Energy Inc., nor shall any part of itnor the fact of its distribution form part of or be relied on in connection withany contract or investment decision relating thereto, nor does it constitute arecommendation regarding the securities of Ithaca Energy Inc. NOT FOR RELEASE IN THE UNITED STATES OR DISTRIBUTION TO US NEWS SERVICES These securities have not been registered under the US Securities Act 1933, asamended, or any state securities law, and they may not be offered or sold in theUnited States unless an exemption from registration is available. ITHACA ENERGY INC. £28 MILLION (C$59 MILLION) FINANCING AND DUAL LISTING LONDON, U.K. - CALGARY, ALBERTA, June 6, 2006 -- Ithaca Energy Inc. ("Ithaca" orthe "Company") (LSE-AIM: IAE, TSX-V: IAE), an oil and gas company focused on theexploration and development of resources in the United Kingdom North Sea, todayannounces the closing of an equity financing of approximately £28.3 million(C$59.5 million) and its listing on the London Stock Exchange's AIM ("AIM")market, following its admission yesterday on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada,under the ticker symbol IAE. Ithaca's diversified portfolio of North Sea assets, together with a managementstrategy focused on the appraisal and development of existing oil and gasdiscoveries as well as exploration provides the Company with the opportunity tocreate a revenue and cash flow base at an early stage in its development whiletaking less risk than required in exploration as well as the possibility ofgrowth from future exploration. Highlights: • The dual listing on AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange, raising a total of approximately £28.3 million (C$59.5 million) before expenses, will bring the total number of common shares issued and outstanding to 60.7 million. Shares started trading on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada on June 5, 2006 and started trading on AIM on June 6, 2006. The market capitalization at the placing price of £1 (C$2.10) is approximately £60.7 million (C$127.5 million). • Ithaca's portfolio of United Kingdom ("UK") North Sea assets totals 514,473 net acres in 28 blocks and part blocks under 16 licences. Included in these assets are three near term development projects: Barbara, Athena and Beatrice Alpha North. • A report by independent reservoir evaluation firm Gaffney, Cline & Associates ("GCA") assigns to the Athena and Barbara projects aggregate net proven and probable undeveloped reserves of 22 MMbbls of crude oil, 11.6 Bcf of natural gas and 0.4 MMbbls of natural gas liquids ("NGLs"). • Additionally, based on GCA's best estimate recoverable reserves, management estimates best estimate net risked recoverable Contingent Resources of 4.8 MMbbls of crude oil and 30 Bcf of natural gas, and best estimate net risked recoverable Prospective Resources of 30 MMbbls of crude oil and 88Bcf of natural gas. 1 • Net proceeds of the offering will be used to fund the advancement of Ithaca's near term development projects including the drilling of Athena, Barbara and Beatrice Alpha North appraisal and development wells and to facilitate exploration and appraisal of other assets in the UK North Sea. • In 2006 and 2007 the emphasis will be on exploiting the Company's appraisal and development projects, completion of its 3-D seismic program currently underway with Petro-Canada and Nexen on two of the Company's exploration prospects, and the ongoing evaluation and advancement of the remaining exploration prospects in the Company's portfolio. The focus in 2008 will be to achieve first production from each of the Barbara, Athena and Beatrice Alpha North projects and drilling several of the Company's exploration projects. • Led by Lawrence (Lawrie) Payne, Chief Executive Officer, and Neill Carson, President and Chief Operating Officer, Ithaca's management team includes experienced oil and gas industry professionals with over 120 years in the industry. The management team have previously worked at companies including Shell, BP, Amoco, Sunningdale Oils, Atlantis Resources, and the Wood Group. • Ithaca has offices in Calgary, London and Aberdeen. Ithaca's Net Interest in Reserves and Net Present Value of Future Net Revenue* Crude Oil Natural Gas Natural Gas Net Present (MMbbls) (Bcf) Liquids Value* (MMbbls) (US$MM) Proved Undeveloped Reserves - 7.8 0.3 10.3Probable Undeveloped Reserves 22.0 3.8 0.1 144.1Total Undeveloped Reserves 22.0 11.6 0.4 154.4 *GCA Report - Net Present Value of Future Net revenue After Income Taxes,discounted at 10% per year, using forecasted crude oil and gas prices startingin 2008 based on a Brent crude oil price of US$35.00/bbl and gas price ofUS$9.60/mcf. It should not be assumed that the present worth of estimatedfuture net revenue represents fair market value of the reserves. The estimatesof reserves and future net revenue for individual properties may not reflect thesame confidence level as estimates of reserves and future net revenue for allproperties, due to the effects of aggregation. Commenting, Lawrie Payne, Chief Executive Officer of Ithaca, said: "Our approach of acquiring resources in the North Sea has provided Ithaca with ahigh quality portfolio of near term development projects with the potential forearly production and high impact exploration prospects in a world classpetroleum basin. The funds raised through this offering will enable the further appraisal anddevelopment of these resources, which offer the Company the opportunity tocreate a revenue and cash flow base earlier than offered by pure exploration". Jefferies International Limited and Mirabaud Securities Limited acted as brokersin London. Nabarro Wells & Company Limited are the nominated advisor to theCompany. Research Capital Corporation and CIBC World Markets Inc. acted asagents to the Company in its offering in Canada. ITHACA'S BACKGROUND Assets: Ithaca Energy has built a diversified portfolio of exploration and developmentassets through participation in the UK's recent Seaward Licensing rounds andthrough acquisitions. Ithaca's portfolio totals 514,473 net acres in 28 blocks and part blocks under16 licences. The report by GCA, has assigned aggregate net Proven and Probable undevelopedReserves of 22 MMbbls of crude oil, 11.6 Bcf of natural gas and 0.4 MMbbls ofNGLs, to two projects, Athena and Barbara. Additionally, GCA has identified best estimate net risked recoverable ContingentResources of 4.8 MMbbls of crude oil and 30 Bcf of natural gas in threeundeveloped discoveries and 19 prospects and leads containing best estimate netrisked recoverable Prospective Resources of 30 MMbbls of oil and 88 Bcf of gas(See Note 1). Ithaca's three near term oil and gas development projects include: • The Athena discovery contains two previously drilled wells that tested oil, is 90% owned by the Company and has been assigned 22 MMbbls of net Probable Reserves of crude oil by GCA. An appraisal well is planned for 2006, which if successful would be completed for production. Further field development would follow with first production expected in 2008. • The Barbara gas discovery is a gas and condensate accumulation, 20% owned by Ithaca and has net undeveloped Proven and Probable Reserves of 11.6 Bcf of natural gas and 0.4 MMbbls of NGLs assigned to it by GCA. Development drilling is planned during 2006 and 2007 with first production anticipated in 2008. • The Beatrice Alpha North discovery is 100% owned by Ithaca. Management estimates that it contains best estimate net unrisked recoverable Prospective Resources of 4 MMbbls of crude oil based on GCA's unrisked best estimate recoverable Prospective Resources. The prospect is considered a low risk extension to the Beatrice field. A successful well would be completed for production which could be accomplished by mid 2008. The Company's portfolio also includes three other discoveries and several otherprospects and leads. These holdings include a 90% interest in two blocks and oneadjacent partial block in the Outer Moray Firth, which the management believesare prospective in the Buzzard, Scapa and Captain sandstones and over which theCompany is currently conducting a 3-D seismic program with Petro-Canada andNexen. The Company's assets are located in a mature hydrocarbon basin with previouslyestablished geological risks, accessible infrastructure, a stable andencouraging political environment and an attractive fiscal environment. UKGovernment policy is to encourage new entrants into the North Sea in order toaccelerate exploration and the development of existing discoveries.Specifically, the UK government has taken steps to: • encourage new exploration in areas which were previously the domain of larger players; • provide access to production facilities; and • oblige existing acreage holders to commit to work programmes, farm-out or surrender their holdings. The UK sector of the North Sea is considered a world class petroleum basin. Thebasin is estimated to contain 16.8 Bbbls of oil equivalent ("Bboe") of remainingdiscovered reserves and between 4.7 and 21 Bboe of undiscovered recoverableresources. 2 As future discoveries are likely to be smaller than those of thepast, many large oil companies have shifted the focus of their capitaldeployment away from the North Sea, creating an opportunity for smallercompanies to acquire and develop UK Continental Shelf assets. Management Ithaca's management team includes experienced oil and gas industry professionalswith extensive international experience. The combined team has over 120 yearsexperience in the industry. Lawrie Payne (63), Chief Executive Officer, has over 40 years experience in theoil and gas industry in Canada, the United States, the Middle East and the NorthSea. Lawrie has been President / CEO of a number of international private andpublic oil and gas companies including Sunningdale Oils and Atlantis Resources. Neill Carson (47), President / Chief Operating Officer, has over 22 years oilindustry experience. Neill spent over 15 years focused on exploration andproduction in the North Sea with Amoco and BP. Brad Gunn, Chief Financial Officer / VP Corporate Development (36), has over 11years of public company management experience. Brad also founded and took publican internet services company on NASDAQ OTC. Nick Muir (47), VP Exploration, has over 20 years technical and commercialexperience in the industry. Nick was previously at Shell, ENI and Total. John Woods (44), VP Development and Operations, has over 25 years reservoirengineering and field development experience in the North Sea. Strategy Ithaca's strategy is to acquire existing production or discoveries that are ofinterest to the Company and to apply modern seismic, drilling and productiontechnologies to these assets. To date the Company has acquired three undevelopedprojects for further appraisal and development, as well as many unexploredprospects, and intends to make additional asset and / or corporate acquisitionswhere appropriate. The appraisal and development of undeveloped discoveries offers the Company theopportunity to create a revenue and cash flow base at an early stage in itsdevelopment while taking less risk than required in exploration. The Company maintains a strategy of acquiring the highest possible workinginterests in its properties so as to provide operational and financial controlas well as future opportunity for financial leverage through farmouts and jointventures. Company interests in all assets other than in the Barbara area rangefrom 60% to 100%. Reasons for the Offerings • to fund the further appraisal and development of the three near term development projects • to facilitate the Company's exploration program • to cover the expense of geological and geophysical studies, general and administrative expenses and general corporate expenses • to provide for undesignated working capital requirements History Ithaca's first project was the application for exploration licences in the NorthSea through the competitive bid process of the 22nd Seaward Licensing Round inthe UK. Ithaca was awarded a 60% interest in 7 Licenses covering 9 blocks orpartial blocks in the Southern North Sea gas basin and 1 partial block in theCentral North Sea basin. In May 2005, Ithaca purchased a 90% interest in 1 licence covering 2 blocks inthe Outer Moray Firth area, originally issued in the 21st Seaward LicensingRound, which the Company's management believes warrants exploration. Ithaca hasadded a 90% interest in 1 adjacent partial block acquired in the 23rd SeawardLicensing Round. These properties are currently being evaluated with a new 3-Dseismic program. In June 2005, the Company applied for further licences in the 23rd seawardLicensing Round and was awarded 6 licenses covering 12 blocks or partial blocks(including the one mentioned above). Ithaca was awarded 100% interest in 6blocks or partial blocks surrounding the producing Beatrice oilfield containingthe Beatrice Alpha North prospect, a 90% interest in 1 partial block in theOuter Moray Firth and a 60% interest in 3 licences covering 4 partial blocks inthe Southern North Sea gas basin. The Outer Moray Firth block contains the oildiscovery, known as Athena, which the management believes to be commercial undercurrent economic conditions. In July 2005, Ithaca entered into a sale and purchase agreement with Eni for thepurchase of a 20% interest in License P.749 and a 100% interest in License P.359in the Central North Sea. License P.749 contains the Barbara underdeveloped gasand condensate discovery while license P.359 comprises the rights below theupper Cretaceous under the Phyllis Palaeocene gas and condensate discovery.Management believes the acquisition of P.749 represents the opportunity for theCompany to participate in the near-term development of the Barbara field. WhileLicense P.359 does not convey rights to the zones productive at Barbara orPhyllis, management believes it has the potential for deeper Jurassicproduction. The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy oraccuracy of this release. These securities have not been registered under the US Securities Act of 1933,as amended, or any state securities law, and they may not be offered or sold inthe United States unless an exemption from registration is available. Not for Distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States Forward-looking statements Some of the statements in this announcement are forward-looking.Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief andcurrent expectations of Ithaca Energy Inc. or its officers with respect tovarious matters. When used in this announcement, the words "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "may," "will," "should" and similarexpressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward-lookingstatements. Such statements are not promises or guarantees, and are subject torisks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcome to differ materiallyfrom those suggested by any such statements. These forward-looking statementsspeak only as of the date of this announcement. Ithaca Energy Inc. expresslydisclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates orrevisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect anychange in its expectations with regard thereto or any change in events,conditions or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based. Not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or intothe United States, the Republic of Ireland, the Republic of South Africa, Japanor Australia. June 6, 2006 1 Risked volumes reported in terms of both Contingent Resources and ProspectiveResources are risk assessed only in the context of applying the "GeologicalChance of Success" stated in GCA's report. This risk assessment does notincorporate the considerations of economic uncertainty and commerciality.Details regarding the properties to which Contingent Resources and ProspectiveResources are attributed may be found in the Company's prospectus dated May 24,2006 at www.sedar.com. 2 Barrels of oil equivalent may be misleading, particularly if used inisolation. A barrel of oil equivalent conversion ratio of 6 Mcf:1 bbl is basedon an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burnertip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. -ENDS- Enquiries: Ithaca Energy Inc: Office: Mobile:Lawrie Payne In London: +44(0) 20 7590 3027 +44(0)7841 678668Brad Gunn In London: +44(0) 20 7590 3026 +44(0)7920 019355 In Calgary: +1 (403) 668 9599 +1 (403) 389 4107 Pelham Public Relations Office: Mobile:Charles Vivian +44(0) 20 7743 6673 +44(0)7977297903Philip Dennis +44(0) 20 7743 6363 +44(0)7947868206 Nabarro Wells & Co Limited Office:Marc Cramsie +44(0) 20 7710 7406 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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