TIDMDES
RNS Number : 6250P
Desire Petroleum PLC
03 October 2013
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD
CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION
3 OCTOBER 2013
RECOMMENDED COMBINATION
of
Falkland Oil & Gas Limited ("FOGL")
with
Desire Petroleum plc ("Desire")
(to be implemented by way of a Scheme of Arrangement
under Part 26 of the Companies Act)
and
FARM-OUT HEADS OF AGREEMENT AGREED
with
Premier Oil Exploration and Production Limited ("Premier") and
Rockhopper Exploration (Oil) Limited ("Rockhopper")
in respect of
certain North Falkland Basin licences
Summary
-- The boards of FOGL and Desire are pleased to announce that
they have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended
combination of FOGL with Desire (the "Combination"), pursuant to
which FOGL will acquire the entire issued and to be issued share
capital of Desire in exchange for FOGL Consideration Shares. The
Combination is to be effected by way of a Scheme of Arrangement of
Desire under Part 26 of the Companies Act.
-- The boards of FOGL and Desire believe that the Combination
will diversify the activities of the two companies, resulting in a
balanced portfolio with enhanced long-term prospects, a strong
balance sheet and improved financing options.
-- FOGL has also signed heads of agreement ("Heads of
Agreement") with Premier and Rockhopper with respect to a farm-out
of licences PL004a and PL004c (the "Licences") (the "Farm-Out").
Premier and Rockhopper will farm-in to the Licences and, in
exchange, will fund the Combined Group's share of the cost of two
exploration wells, one on each of the Licences. Completion of the
Farm-Out is subject to, inter alia, the Scheme becoming effective,
any required approvals from the Falkland Islands Government and
completion of definitive documents in respect of the Farm-Out.
-- The Combination and the Farm-Out together will enable the
execution of an enhanced drilling programme of five wells in the
next drilling campaign, including:
o two wells in the South Falkland Basin, partnered with Noble
Energy and Edison International; and
o three wells in the North Falkland Basin, one of which will
target the Zebedee prospect.
-- The next drilling campaign is expected to be fully funded
from existing cash, the Farm-Out and other previously completed
farm-out agreements.
Overview of the Combination
-- Under the terms of the Combination, Scheme Shareholders will
be entitled to receive 0.6233 FOGL Consideration Shares for each
Desire Share.
-- Following the Combination becoming effective, FOGL
Shareholders will own 60 per cent. of the Combined Group's issued
share capital, with Desire Shareholders owning the remaining 40 per
cent.
-- The Combined Group will be a balanced, focussed E&P
company with exposure to all known major hydrocarbon plays in the
Falklands.
-- As at 30 June 2013, the aggregate cash balances of FOGL and
Desire were approximately US$170 million.
-- Based on the price of a FOGL Share of 28.50 pence, being the
Closing Price of a FOGL Share on 2 October 2013, the Combination
values the entire issued share capital of Desire at approximately
GBP61 million, and each Desire Share at 17.76 pence.
-- Thisrepresents a premium of approximately 45 per cent. over
the Closing Price of 12.25 pence per Desire Share on 2 October
2013, being the last practicable date prior to this
announcement.
-- Following implementation of the Combination, the management
team of the Combined Group will comprise Tim Bushell as Chief
Executive Officer and Colin More as Exploration Director. Richard
Liddell, Non-Executive Chairman of FOGL, will continue as
Non-Executive Chairman of the Combined Group. In addition to Mr.
Liddell, the Board of the Combined Group will comprise Timothy
Jones (Non-Executive Director of FOGL), David Hudd (Non-Executive
Director of FOGL), Tim Bushell and Colin More, as well as Stephen
Phipps (Desire's current Chairman), Ian Duncan (Desire's current
Chief Executive Officer) and Robert Lyons (a current Non-Executive
Director of Desire) who will all join the Board of the Combined
Group as Non-Executive Directors.
-- Stephen Phipps, who controls 10.7 per cent. of the issued
share capital of Desire, has entered into a conditional lock-in
agreement with FOGL for a period of six months following completion
of the Combination in respect of the FOGL Consideration Shares
issued to him (and those persons associated with him) on completion
of the Combination.
-- The Desire Directors, who have been so advised by Peel Hunt
LLP, consider the terms of the Combination to be fair and
reasonable. In providing its advice, Peel Hunt LLP has taken into
account the commercial assessments of the Desire Directors.
-- Accordingly, the Desire Directors unanimously recommend
Desire Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme and the
resolutions at the Court Meeting and the Desire General Meeting (or
in the event that the Combination is implemented by means of a
Takeover Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of the Takeover
Offer), as the Desire Directors have irrevocably undertaken to do
(or procure that those persons connected with them so do) in
respect of their entire beneficial holdings in Desire, amounting
to, in aggregate, 37,405,557 Desire Shares, representing
approximately 10.9 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital
of Desire. These undertakings include an undertaking from the
Chairman of Desire, Stephen Phipps, who controls 10.7 per cent. of
the issued ordinary share capital of Desire. The irrevocable
undertakings remain binding in all circumstances, including in the
event of a higher offer, unless the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn
and/or the Panel does not require FOGL to proceed with the
Scheme.
-- The Combination is conditional on, inter alia, certain
approvals by Desire Shareholders and the sanction of the Scheme by
the Court. In order to become effective, the Scheme must be
approved by a majority in number of the Scheme Shareholders voting
at the Court Meeting representing not less than 75 per cent. in
value of the Scheme Shares held by the Scheme Shareholders present
and voting in person or by proxy. In addition, special resolutions
approving the Scheme and the related Capital Reduction must be
passed by Desire Shareholders representing at least 75 per cent. of
the votes cast at the Desire General Meeting.
-- The Combination is also conditional on the FOGL Shareholders
approving, by way of ordinary resolution, the issue of the FOGL
Consideration Shares at the FOGL General Meeting.
-- The FOGL Directors believe that the Combination is in the
best interests of FOGL and FOGL Shareholders as a whole and
accordingly intend to unanimously recommend that FOGL Shareholders
approve the resolutions to be proposed at the FOGL General Meeting
as they have irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own
beneficial holdings totalling 720,185 FOGL Shares, representing
approximately 0.23 per cent. of the FOGL Shares.
-- FOGL has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour
of the resolutions to be proposed at the FOGL General Meeting from
the FOGL Directors in respect of their entire beneficial holdings
in FOGL, amounting to, in aggregate, 720,185 FOGL Shares,
representing approximately 0.23 per cent. of the issued ordinary
share capital of FOGL. FOGL has also received an irrevocable
undertaking to vote in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at
the FOGL General Meeting from Erebus Limited (a subsidiary of
Falkland Islands Holdings plc of which David Hudd, one of the FOGL
Directors, is also a director), in respect of its holding of
12,825,000 FOGL Shares, representing approximately 4.01 per cent.
of the issued ordinary share capital of FOGL. Accordingly, FOGL has
received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the
resolutions to be proposed at the FOGL General Meeting in respect
of a total of 13,545,185 FOGL Shares, representing approximately
4.23 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital of FOGL.
-- The Scheme is also subject to the Conditions set out in
Appendix I to this announcement, including any required approvals
from the Falkland Islands Government.
-- The Combination is not conditional upon completion of the Farm-Out.
-- It is expected that the Scheme Document, containing further
information about the Combination and notices of the Court Meeting
and Desire General Meeting together with the Forms of Proxy, will
be posted as soon as reasonably practicable and that the
Combination and the resolutions required to implement the Scheme
will be put to Desire Shareholders at the Court Meeting and the
Desire General Meeting in November 2013, with the FOGL General
Meeting being held around the same time. Subject to the
satisfaction or, where relevant, waiver of all relevant Conditions
(as set out in Appendix I), the Scheme is expected to become
effective by 31 December 2013.
Overview of the Farm-Out
-- FOGL has signed Heads of Agreement with Premier and
Rockhopper with respect to the Farm-Out of the Licences in which
Desire currently holds working interests of 92.5 per cent. and 75
per cent. respectively. Completion of the Farm-Out is conditional
on,inter alia, the Scheme becoming effective, receipt of any
approvals required from the Falkland Islands Government and entry
into and completion of definitive documentation in respect of the
Farm-Out.
-- Following implementation of the Combination, any required
approvals being received from the Falkland Islands Government and
the completion of definitive documentation in respect of the
Farm-Out, Premier and Rockhopper will farm in to the Licences and
as a result of this, the Combined Group's working interests in
PL004a and PL004c will both be reduced to 40 per cent.
-- In exchange for aggregate working interests of 52.5 per cent.
in PL004a and 35 per cent. in PL004c, Premier and Rockhopper will
fund the Combined Group's share of the cost of two exploration
wells, one on each of the Licences. It is anticipated that these
two wells will be included in the next drilling campaign. The Heads
of Agreement provide that the Combined Group will retain
operatorship of the Licences until the second carried exploration
well is plugged and abandoned.
Commenting on the Combination, Tim Bushell, Chief Executive of
FOGL, said:
"This combination is a compelling opportunity to consolidate the
portfolios of FOGL and Desire, diversifying the risk profile for
both companies' shareholders and enabling the combined group to
move forward with an active, long-term programme for growth in the
Falkland Islands. Specifically, this transaction provides FOGL with
access to Desire's interests in the North Falkland Basin (including
the Sea Lion area) which we believe are highly complementary to our
existing exploration portfolio in the South.
The farm-out to Premier and Rockhopper, which will reduce the
combined group's working interests in PL004a and PL004c to 40 per
cent., is a prudent piece of portfolio management and allows us to
participate in a more extensive exploration programme due to the
drilling carry we have agreed, while retaining control through
operatorship until both wells have been drilled.
FOGL is in a strong financial position and these transactions
will enhance the company's opportunity set and offer new and
exciting potential opportunities to deploy capital and create value
for both companies' shareholders."
Commenting on the Combination, Stephen Phipps, Chairman of
Desire, said:
"We have for a number of months been seeking additional
investment into our North Falkland Basin licences and are pleased
that this process has concluded with the combination with FOGL. Not
only do Desire shareholders retain material interests in Desire's
highly prospective exploration acreage, but we also benefit from
the farm-out with Premier and Rockhopper, exposure to FOGL's
upcoming programme in the South Falkland Basin, a strong balance
sheet and expert partners. We are entering an extremely exciting
period in the Falklands with shareholders in the combined group now
having fully funded, material exposure to five wells across three
basins, testing three different play types."
Enquiries:
FOGL
Tim Bushell, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 7563 1260
RBC Europe Limited (Financial Adviser,
Joint Broker and NOMAD to FOGL)
Jeremy Low / Matthew Coakes +44 (0)20 7653 4000
Jefferies International Limited (Financial
Adviser and Joint Broker to FOGL)
Richard Kent / Chris Zeal / Graham Hertrich +44 (0)20 7029 8000
Desire
Stephen Phipps, Chairman
Ian Duncan, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 7436 0423
Peel Hunt LLP (Financial Adviser, Broker
and NOMAD to Desire)
Richard Crichton / Charlie Batten +44 (0)20 7418 8900
Media Enquiries:
FTI Consulting (PR Adviser to FOGL)
Ed Westropp / Natalia Erikssen +44 (0)207 831 3113
Buchanan (PR Adviser to Desire)
Tim Thompson / Tom Hufton +44 (0)20 7466 5000
This summary should be read in conjunction with, and is subject
to, the full text of this announcement (including the
Appendices).
The Combination will be made on the terms and subject to the
conditions and further terms set out herein and in Appendix I to
this announcement and the further terms and conditions to be set
out in the Scheme Document and Forms of Proxy when issued. The
bases and sources of certain financial information contained in
this announcement are set out in Appendix II to this announcement.
A summary of the irrevocable undertakings given by the Desire
Directors is contained in Appendix III to this announcement.
Certain terms used in this announcement are defined in Appendix IV
to this announcement.
RBC Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the
Prudential Regulation Authority and is acting as financial adviser
to FOGL and no one else in connection with the contents of this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than FOGL
for providing the protections afforded to clients, or for providing
advice in relation to any matters referred to herein.
Jefferies International Limited, which is authorised and
regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for FOGL and no one else in connection with the
Combination and this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than FOGL for providing the protections afforded to
clients of Jefferies nor for providing advice in connection with
the Combination or any matter referred to herein.
Peel Hunt LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the UK by
the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for Desire
and no one else in connection with the Combination and this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Desire for providing the protections afforded to clients of Peel
Hunt LLP nor for providing advice in connection with the
Combination or any matter referred to herein.
Falkland Oil & Gas Limited reserves the right to elect, with
the consent of the Panel (where necessary), to implement the
Combination by way of a Takeover Offer. In such event, the Takeover
Offer will be implemented on substantially the same terms, subject
to appropriate amendments, as those which would apply to the
Combination.
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not
constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase any
securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities,
pursuant to the Combination or otherwise. The Combination will be
made solely by means of the Scheme Document, which will contain the
full terms and conditions of the Combination, including details of
how to vote in favour of the Scheme. Desire and FOGL urge Desire
Shareholders to read the Scheme Document which will be distributed
to Scheme Shareholders in due course (with the exception of certain
Scheme Shareholders in Restricted Jurisdictions), as it will
contain important information relating to the Combination.
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus
equivalent document.
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying
with English law and the City Code and the information disclosed
may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this
announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of
jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who are not
resident in the United Kingdom or who are subject to other
jurisdictions should inform themselves of, and observe, any
applicable requirements.
Unless otherwise determined by FOGL or required by the City Code
and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Combination
will not be made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a
Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in
that jurisdiction, and the Combination will not be capable of
acceptance from or within a Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly,
copies of this announcement and all documentation relating to the
Combination are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly,
mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from
a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in
that jurisdiction, and persons receiving this announcement and all
documents relating to the Combination (including custodians,
nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise distribute or
send them in, into or from such jurisdictions as doing so may
invalidate any purported acceptance of the Combination.
The availability of the Combination to Desire Shareholders who
are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws
of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are resident. Persons
who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves
of, and observe, any applicable requirements.
Further details in relation to overseas Desire Shareholders will
be contained in the Scheme Document.
Forward looking statements
This announcement, any oral statements made by FOGL or Desire in
relation to the Combination, and other information published by
FOGL or Desire may contain statements about FOGL and Desire that
are or may be forward looking statements. All statements other than
statements of historical facts included in this announcement may be
forward looking statements. Without limitation, any statements
preceded or followed by or that include the words "targets",
"plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may",
"anticipates", "estimates", "projects" or words or terms of similar
substance or the negative thereof, are forward looking statements.
Forward looking statements include statements relating to the
following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues,
earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial
condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii)
business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of
FOGL's or Desire's operations and potential synergies resulting
from the Combination; and (iii) the effects of government
regulation on FOGL's or Desire's business.
Such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could significantly affect expected results and are based on
certain key assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward
looking statements. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking
statements. FOGL and Desire disclaim any obligation to update any
forward looking or other statements contained herein, except as
required by applicable law.
Not a profit forecast
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or profit estimate and no statement in this announcement
should be interpreted to mean that the future earnings per share of
the FOGL Group as enlarged by the Combination, FOGL and/or Desire
for current or future financial years will necessarily match or
exceed the historical or published earnings per share of FOGL or
Desire.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code (the "Code")
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1
per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening
Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any
securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later
than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of
the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any
relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of
(i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror,
save to the extent that these details have previously been
disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom
Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London
time) on the business day following the date of the relevant
dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
This summary should be read in conjunction with the full text of
this announcement. Appendix I to this announcement contains the
conditions to, and certain further terms of, the Combination.
Appendix II to this announcement contains further details of the
sources of information and bases of calculations set out in this
announcement. Appendix III contains a summary of the irrevocable
undertakings given by the Desire Directors. Appendix IV contains
definitions of certain expressions used in this summary and in this
announcement.
Information relating to Desire Shareholders
Please be aware that addresses, electronic addresses and certain
information provided by Desire Shareholders, persons with
information rights and other relevant persons for the receipt of
communications from Desire may be provided to FOGL during the Offer
Period where requested under Section 4 of Appendix 4 of the
Code.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement will be made available, free of
charge subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident
in Restricted Jurisdictions, at www.fogl.com and
www.desireplc.co.uk by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the
business day following the date of this annoucement.
You may request a hard copy of this announcement, free of
charge, by contacting Capita Registrars on+44 (0) 871 664 0300.
Desire Shareholders may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the
Combination should be in hard copy form.
Rule 2.10 Disclosure
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, Desire confirms that
it has342,282,198 Desire Shares in issue and admitted to listing on
the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange under ISIN reference
GB0002689494.
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, FOGL confirms that it
has 320,000,000 FOGL Shares in issue and admitted to listing on the
AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange under ISIN reference
FK00B030JM18.
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN
PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD
CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION
3 October 2013
RECOMMENDED COMBINATION
of
Falkland Oil & Gas Limited ("FOGL")
with
Desire Petroleum plc ("Desire")
(to be implemented by way of a Scheme of Arrangement
under Part 26 of the Companies Act)
and
FARM-OUT HEADS OF AGREEMENT AGREED
with
Premier Oil Exploration and Production Limited ("Premier") and
Rockhopper Exploration (Oil) Limited ("Rockhopper")
in respect of
certain North Falkland Basin licences
1 Introduction
The boards of FOGL and Desire are pleased to announce that they
have reached agreement on the terms of a recommended combination of
FOGL with Desire (the "Combination"), pursuant to which FOGL will
acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Desire
in exchange for FOGL Consideration Shares.
It is intended that the Combination be implemented by way of a
Court sanctioned Scheme of Arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act.
FOGL has also signed heads of agreement (the "Heads of
Agreement") with Premier and Rockhopper with respect to a farm-out
of licences PL004a and PL004c (the "Licences") (the "Farm-Out"). In
exchange, Premier and Rockhopper will farm-in to the Licences and
will fund the Combined Group's share of the cost of two exploration
wells, one on each of the Licences. Completion of the Farm-Out is
conditional on, inter alia, the Scheme becoming effective, receipt
of any approvals required from the Falkland Islands Government and
entry into and completion of definitive documentation in respect of
the Farm-Out.
The Combination and the Farm-Out together will enable the
execution of an enhanced drilling programme of five wells in the
next campaign, including:
o two wells in the South Falkland Basin, partnered with Noble
Energy and Edison International; and
o three wells in the North Falkland Basin, one of which will
target the Zebedee prospect.
The next drilling campaign will be fully funded from existing
cash, the Farm-Out and other previously completed farm-out
agreements.
Pursuant to the Combination, which will be subject to the
conditions and further terms set out below and in Appendix I and to
the full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Scheme
Document, Scheme Shareholders will receive:
for each Desire Share 0.6233 FOGL Consideration Shares
Based on the price of a FOGL Share of 28.50 pence, being the
Closing Price of a FOGL Share on 2 October 2013 (the last
practicable date prior to this announcement), the Combination
values the entire issued share capital of Desire at approximately
GBP61 million and each Desire Share at 17.76 pence.
This represents a premium of approximately 45 per cent. over the
Closing Price of 12.25 pence per Desire Share on 2 October 2013,
being the last practicable date prior to this announcement.
Following the Combination becoming effective, FOGL Shareholders
will hold 60 per cent. of the Combined Group's issued share
capital, with Desire Shareholders holding the remaining 40 per
cent.
The Combination is conditional on, inter alia, certain approvals
by Desire Shareholders and the sanction of the Scheme by the Court.
In order to become effective, the Scheme must be approved by a
majority in number of the Scheme Shareholders voting at the Court
Meeting representing not less than 75 per cent. in value of the
Scheme Shares held by the Scheme Shareholders present and voting in
person or by proxy.
The Combination is not conditional upon completion of the
Farm-Out.
It is expected that the Scheme Document, containing further
information about the Combination and notices of the Court Meeting
and Desire General Meeting together with the Forms of Proxy, will
be posted as soon as reasonably practicable and that the
Combination and the resolutions required to implement the Scheme
will be put to Desire Shareholders at the Court Meeting and the
Desire General Meeting which are expected to be held in November
2013. Subject to the satisfaction or, where relevant, waiver of all
relevant Conditions, the Scheme is expected to become effective by
31 December 2013.
Furthermore, the Combination is also conditional on the FOGL
Shareholders approving the issue of the FOGL Consideration Shares
at the FOGL General Meeting. It is anticipated such meeting will
take place around the same time as the Court Meeting and the Desire
General Meeting.
2 Background to and reasons for the Combination and the Farm-Out
The Combined Group retains FOGL and Desire's focus on highly
prospective acreage positions in the Falkland Islands, while
successfully diversifying the activities of the two companies. The
Farm-Out would reduce the Combined Group's working interest in
PL004a and PL004c to an appropriate level, while enabling the
Combined Group to participate in an expanded drilling programme
through the agreed drilling carry. The boards of FOGL and Desire
believe the Combination and the Farm-Out will create a balanced
portfolio with enhanced long-term prospects, a strong balance sheet
and improved financing options.
Geographic focus
The Combination consolidates FOGL and Desire's mutual focus on
the Falkland Islands, a proven but underexplored hydrocarbon
province. The Combination creates the only Falkland Islands
focussed exploration, appraisal and development company operating
across the North, East and South Falkland Basins. By combining FOGL
and Desire's knowledge and expertise of exploring and operating in
the Falkland Islands, the boards of both companies believe that the
opportunities for creating value for both sets of shareholders are
significantly improved.
Balanced, diversified portfolio
The Combination creates a balanced, diversified portfolio
including: Sea Lion, an oil development project; material, highly
prospective acreage in the South Falklands Basin; and appraisal and
exploration opportunities in the North Falklands Basin.
Based on initial 3D seismic interpretation, multiple large
prospects have been mapped on FOGL's South and East Falkland Basin
acreage which offer a series of high-impact drilling opportunities.
The size and prospective nature of this acreage enabled FOGL to
successfully conclude farm-out transactions with both Noble Energy
and Edison International in 2012.
Desire's portfolio is focussed on the North Falkland Basin.
Desire has an interest in the Sea Lion development project, the
quantum of which has yet to be determined and from which first oil
is currently forecast to be produced in 2018. Desire's portfolio
also offers multiple drilling locations, including step out
exploration and appraisal opportunities in the Sea Lion area. The
Farm-Out confirms Premier and Rockhopper's shared belief in the
prospectivity of these opportunities.
Active drilling programme
The Combined Group will be well funded (as at 30 June 2013, the
aggregate cash balances of FOGL and Desire were approximately
US$170 million). Together with the Farm-Out and FOGL's existing
farm-out agreements with Noble Energy and Edison International, the
Combined Group will have sufficient resources to drill five wells
in the next drilling campaign, which is expected to commence in
late 2014. It is currently anticipated that two wells will be
drilled in the South Falkland Basin, the first of which will target
the Diomedia Fan complex. A further three wells are expected to be
drilled in the North Falkland Basin, including the Zebedee
exploration well which will aim to prove the extension of the
southern portion of the Sea Lion field and also new reservoir
targets within PL004b. The two other wells in the North Falkland
Basin are expected to be drilled on PL004a and PL004c, pursuant to
the Farm-Out, targeting the Isobel and Jayne prospect stacks.
3 Desire Recommendation and irrevocable undertakings
The Desire Directors, who have been so advised by Peel Hunt LLP,
consider the terms of the Combination to be fair and reasonable. In
providing its advice, Peel Hunt LLP has taken into account the
commercial assessments of the Desire Directors.
Accordingly, the Desire Directors unanimously recommend Desire
Shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme and the resolutions to be
proposed at the Court Meeting and the Desire General Meeting (or in
the event that the Combination is implemented by means of a
Takeover Offer, to accept or procure acceptance of the Takeover
Offer) as the Desire Directors have, in respect of their entire
beneficial holdings in Desire, irrevocably undertaken to do (or
procure that their relevant connected persons so do). Such shares
represent, in aggregate, 37,405,557 Desire Shares, representing
approximately 10.9 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital
of Desire. These undertakings include an undertaking from the
Chairman of Desire, Stephen Phipps, who controls 10.7 per cent. of
the issued ordinary share capital of Desire. The irrevocable
undertakings remain binding in all circumstances, including in the
event of a higher offer, unless the Scheme lapses or is withdrawn
and/or the Panel does not require FOGL to proceed with the
Scheme.
Further details of these irrevocable undertakings (including the
circumstances in which they will fall away) are set out in Appendix
III to this announcement.
4 FOGL Recommendation and irrevocable undertakings
The FOGL Directors believe that the Combination is in the best
interests of FOGL and FOGL Shareholders as a whole and accordingly
intend to unanimously recommend that FOGL Shareholders approve the
resolutions to be proposed at the FOGL General Meeting as they have
irrevocably undertaken to do in respect of their own beneficial
holdings totalling 720,185 FOGL Shares, representing approximately
0.23 per cent. of the FOGL Shares.
FOGL has received irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of
the resolutions to be proposed at the FOGL General Meeting from the
FOGL Directors in respect of their entire beneficial holdings in
FOGL, amounting to, in aggregate, 720,185 FOGL Shares, representing
approximately 0.23 per cent. of the issued ordinary share capital
of FOGL. FOGL has also received an irrevocable undertaking to vote
in favour of the resolutions to be proposed at the FOGL General
Meeting from Erebus Limited (a subsidiary of Falkland Islands
Holdings plc of which David Hudd, one of the FOGL Directors, is
also a director), in respect of its holding of 12,825,000 FOGL
Shares, representing approximately 4.01 per cent. of the issued
ordinary share capital of FOGL. Accordingly, FOGL has received
irrevocable undertakings to vote in favour of the resolutions to be
proposed at the FOGL General Meeting in respect of a total of
13,545,185 FOGL Shares, representing approximately 4.23 per cent.
of the issued ordinary share capital of FOGL.
5 Information on the Farm-Out
FOGL has signed Heads of Agreement with Premier and Rockhopper
with respect to a farm-out of the Licences, in which Desire
currently holds working interests of 92.5 per cent. and 75 per
cent. respectively.
Following implementation of the Combination and subject to any
required approvals from the Falkland Islands Government and the
completion of definitive documents in respect of the Farm-Out,
Premier and Rockhopper will farm in to the Licenses, pursuant to
which the Combined Group's working interests in PL004a and PL004c
will both be reduced to 40 per cent. In exchange for working
interests of 52.5 per cent. in PL004a and 35 per cent. in PL004c,
Premier and Rockhopper will fund the Combined Group's share of the
cost of two exploration wells, one on each of the Licences.
It is anticipated that these two wells will be included in the
next drilling campaign, which is expected to commence in late 2014,
and will be targeting the Isobel and Jayne prospect stacks. Desire
is the current operator of the Licences, and the Combined Group
will transfer operatorship of the Licences to Premier only once the
second exploration well has been plugged and abandoned.
Completion of the Farm-Out is conditional on, inter alia, the
Scheme becoming effective, receipt of any approvals required from
the Falkland Islands Government and the entry into and completion
of definitive documents in respect of the Farm-Out.
Current Working Post Farm-Out
Interests Working Interest
PL004a
FOGL / Desire 92.5% 40.0%
Premier 4.5% 36.0%
Rockhopper 3.0% 24.0%
PL004c
FOGL / Desire 75.0% 40.0%
Premier 15.0% 36.0%
Rockhopper 10.0% 24.0%
--------------- ---------------- ------------------
6 Information on FOGL
Falkland Oil & Gas Limited is an oil & gas exploration
company incorporated in the Falkland Islands and whose shares are
admitted to trading on AIM. All of its upstream assets are located
in the South and East Falkland Basins, offshore Falkland
Islands.
In 2012, FOGL and its joint venture partners (Noble Energy and
Edison International) drilled two exploration wells. The Loligo
well demonstrated a working hydrocarbon system in the northern part
of the East Falkland Basin and that Loligo is a viable
stratigraphic trap. The main hydrocarbon phase encountered within
all the reservoir objectives was gas. The Scotia well also
established working hydrocarbon systems in the mid Cretaceous Fan
play and demonstrated that Scotia is a viable stratigraphic
trap.
In 2013, more than 7,000 km(2) of 3D seismic has been acquired
over the Cretaceous Diomedia fan complex and Fault Block area.
Initial fast track data is currently being interpreted and will be
used to commence prospect mapping and the selection of well
locations. Preliminary work on the 3D data has already identified a
number of large prospects within the Diomedia fan complex. A
further 3D survey in the Northern Licence Area is planned for Q4
2013.
7 Information on Desire
Desire (named after HMS Desire which discovered the Falkland
Islands in 1592) was incorporated in 1996 specifically to
participate in the first round of licences granted by the Falkland
Islands Government to explore for hydrocarbons. The Company is
admitted to trading on AIM and is primarily focussed on exploring
for oil & gas in the North Falkland Basin.
Desire's current licence holdings comprise licences PL003
(Tranche C), PL004 (Tranche D) and PL005 (Tranche F). The assets
include undeveloped discoveries and 45 undrilled prospects. PL004b
contains an extension to the Sea Lion field main reservoir as well
as the Beverley, Casper and Casper South discoveries.
During February 2010 Desire commenced the Ocean Guardian
drilling campaign with six wells drilled on Desire's acreage. On 12
October 2011, Desire announced an agreement with Rockhopper to
farm-in to the northern part of the PL004 licence. The final
14/15-4a well proved the extension of the Sea Lion discovery into
this licence. The results from this well were analysed by Senergy
with a CPR update released on 20 April 2012 which estimated mean
contingent oil resources net to Desire of 85 million barrels within
PL004b.
These results were combined with the final interpretation of the
2012 merged 3D seismic survey and an assessment of the 14/19-1 Liz
gas condensate discovery to compile a complete assessment of
Desire's assets (the "CPR Update"), which was announced on 23
November 2012. The CPR Update showed 45 prospects in various play
types, of which 12 prospects have gross resource potential
exceeding 100 million barrels of oil equivalent, and 10 prospects
had a geological chance of success of 30 per cent. or more.
On 31 October 2012, Desire announced approval from the Falkland
Islands Government to group PL003, PL004 and PL005 together and
confirmed that the existing phase 2 work commitment across these
licences had been completed, with the licence period having been
extended to 1 May 2016, with a commitment to drill one exploration
well during this period. As part of this approval, Desire
relinquished PL006, PL007 and PL034, in the southern part of the
basin.
8 Management and employees
FOGL sees the retention of the expertise and knowledge vested in
the current Desire Board and management as an important key to
unlocking the exploration potential of Desire's North Falkland
Basin licences and will work closely with Desire's management to
develop a plan that effectively integrates the complementary
strengths of the two companies.
Following implementation of the Combination, the management team
of the Combined Group will comprise Tim Bushell as Chief Executive
Officer and Colin More as Exploration Director. Richard Liddell,
Non-Executive Chairman of FOGL, will continue as Non-Executive
Chairman of the Combined Group. In addition to Mr. Liddell, the
Board of the Combined Group will comprise Timothy Jones
(Non-Executive Director of FOGL), David Hudd (Non-Executive
Director of FOGL), Tim Bushell and Colin More, as well as Stephen
Phipps (Desire's current Chairman), Ian Duncan (Desire's current
Chief Executive Officer) and Robert Lyons (a current Non-Executive
Director of Desire) who will all join the Board of the Combined
Group as Non-Executive Directors.
The proposed board of the Combined Group is shown below:
Name Position in Combined Group Currently
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Richard Liddell Non-Executive Chairman FOGL
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Tim Bushell Executive Director, Chief Executive FOGL
Officer
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Colin More Executive Director, Exploration Director FOGL
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Timothy Jones Non-Executive Director FOGL
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
David Hudd Non-Executive Director FOGL
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Stephen Phipps Non-Executive Director Desire
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Robert Lyons Non-Executive Director Desire
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
Ian Duncan Non-Executive Director Desire
---------------- ----------------------------------------- ----------
FOGL expects that the other non-executive members of the Desire
Board will cease to have any involvement with the Combined Group
from the Effective Date and that they and the two executive members
of the Desire Board will resign as directors of Desire at such
time.
FOGL has given assurances to the Desire Directors that the
existing employment rights of all Desire employees will be fully
safeguarded following implementation of the Combination.
9 Desire Share Schemes
Participants in the Desire Share Schemes will be contacted
separately regarding the effect of the Combination on their rights
under the Desire Share Schemes.
Options granted under the Desire Unapproved Executive Share
Option Scheme (the "Option Scheme") shall, to the extent not
already exercisable, be exercisable pursuant to Rule 7.3 of the
Option Scheme upon sanction by the Court of the Scheme. Options
will lapse six months following Court sanction to the extent not
exercised.
Share appreciation rights granted under the Desire Incentive
Plan 2006 (the "SARS Scheme") shall, to the extent not already
exercisable, be exercisable pursuant to Rule 6.2 (b) of the SARS
Scheme upon sanction by the Court of the Scheme within six months
following Court sanction and no discretion will be exercised by the
remuneration committee of Desire to extend such 6 month period
under the terms of the rules of the SARS Scheme. To the extent not
exercised, awards under the SARS Scheme will lapse.
10 FOGL Consideration Shares
The FOGL Consideration Shares will be ordinary shares in the
capital of FOGL. The FOGL Consideration Shares will rank pari passu
in all respects with the existing FOGL Shares and will be entitled
to all dividends and other distributions declared or paid by FOGL
by reference to a record date on or after the Effective Date.
Shares of non-UK companies (such as FOGL) cannot be held and
transferred directly into the CREST system. Holders of Scheme
Shares who hold Desire Shares in uncertificated form (that is, in
CREST) will be entitled to FOGL Depositary Interests, representing
the FOGL Consideration Shares to which the relevant Desire
Shareholder is entitled under the terms of the Scheme. The FOGL
Depository Interests can be held and transferred through the CREST
system. It is expected that the FOGL Depository Interests will
trade on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange under ISIN
FK00B030JM18 in the same way as existing FOGL Shares.
Fractions of FOGL Consideration Shares will not be allotted or
issued pursuant to the Scheme directly to Scheme Shareholders, but
entitlements of Scheme Shareholders will instead be rounded down to
the nearest whole number of FOGL Consideration Shares and all
fractional entitlements will be aggregated and allotted and issued
to the person appointed by FOGL as nominee for such Scheme
Shareholders and sold in the market as soon as practicable after
the Effective Date. The net proceeds of sale shall be paid to such
Scheme Shareholders in due course. However, individual entitlements
to amounts of less than GBP2 will not be paid to Scheme
Shareholders but will instead be retained for the benefit of
FOGL.
11 Opening Position Disclosures and interests
FOGL confirms that it is making an Opening Position Disclosure
today, setting out the details required to be disclosed by it under
Rule 8.1(a) of the Code.
12 Structure of the Combination
It is intended that the Combination will be effected by way of a
Court sanctioned Scheme of Arrangement under Part 26 of the
Companies Act. The Scheme is an arrangement between Desire and the
Scheme Shareholders and is subject to the approval of the
Court.
The purpose of the Scheme is to provide for FOGL to become the
holder of the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital
of Desire. This is to be achieved by the cancellation of the Scheme
Shares held by Scheme Shareholders and the application of the
reserve arising from such cancellation in paying up in full such
number of new ordinary shares of 1 pence each in Desire which is
equal to the number of Scheme Shares cancelled and issuing such new
ordinary shares to FOGL. FOGL will subsequently issue the FOGL
Consideration Shares to which Desire Shareholders on the register
of members at the Scheme Record Time are entitled pursuant to the
terms of the Combination.
To become effective, the Scheme will require, inter alia, the
approval by a majority in number of Scheme Shareholders
representing at least 75 per cent. in value of the Scheme Shares
held by such Scheme Shareholders voting, either in person or by
proxy, at the Court Meeting (or any adjournment thereof), and the
passing by the Desire Shareholders of a special resolution
necessary to implement the Scheme (including approving appropriate
amendments to the articles of association of Desire) at the Desire
General Meeting (or any adjournment thereof). In addition, the
Scheme must be sanctioned, and the Capital Reduction must be
confirmed, by the Court.
The Scheme will also be subject to certain conditions and
certain further terms referred to in Appendix I of this
announcement and to be set out in the Scheme Document including any
approvals required from the Falkland Islands Government.
Once the necessary approvals from Desire Shareholders have been
obtained and the other Conditions have been satisfied or (where
applicable) waived, the Scheme will become effective upon the
delivery of the Reduction Court Order to the Registrar of
Companies. The Scheme is expected to become effective by 31
December 2013. If the Scheme does not become effective on or before
31 May 2014, it will lapse and the Combination will not proceed
(unless the parties agree otherwise with the consent of the
Panel).
Upon the Scheme becoming effective, it will be binding on all
Scheme Shareholders, irrespective of whether or not they attended
or voted at the Court Meeting or the Desire General Meeting.
The FOGL Consideration Shares to be issued to Desire
Shareholders pursuant to the Scheme will be issued fully paid and
free from all liens, charges, equities, encumbrances, rights of
pre-emption and any other interests of any nature whatsoever and
together with all rights attaching thereto, including voting rights
and the rights to receive and retain in full all dividends and
other distributions declared, made or paid on or after the date of
their issue.
FOGL reserves the right, with the consent of the Panel (where
necessary), to elect to implement the Combination by way of a
Takeover Offer as an alternative to the Scheme. Any such Takeover
Offer will be subject to an acceptance condition of FOGL having
acquired (whether pursuant to the Combinationor otherwise) such
percentage (being more than 50 per cent.) of the Desire Shares, as
FOGL may decide, having consulted with the Panel, and will
otherwise be implemented on the same terms (subject to appropriate
amendments), so far as applicable, as those which would apply to
the Scheme, and in compliance with applicable laws and
regulations.
Further details of the Scheme including an indicative timetable
for its implementation together with notices of the Court Meeting
and Desire General Meeting, will be contained in the Scheme
Document which will be published as soon as reasonably practicable
after the date of this announcement.
13 Offer related arrangements
Confidentiality Agreement
FOGL and Desire entered into a confidentiality agreement in a
customary form in relation to the Combination, pursuant to which
they each undertook, subject to certain exceptions, to keep
information relating to FOGL and Desire confidential and not to
disclose it to third parties. Unless terminated earlier, the
confidentiality obligations will remain in force for two years from
the date of the agreement.
Co-operation Agreement
FOGL and Desire have entered into a co-operation agreement
pursuant to which FOGLand Desire have agreed to use their
reasonable endeavours to provide each other with information or
assistance for the purposes of obtaining any official authorisation
or regulatory clearance required in connection with the
implementation of the Acquisition, including in respect of any
letter of comfortletter or consent that may be required from the
Falkland Islands Government regarding change of control of the
licences held by Desire.
The parties have also agreed to provide for an exchange of
information in respect of the Scheme Document and the FOGL
Circular.
In addition, with regard to the Desire Shares Schemes, FOGL and
Desire have agreed as set out in paragraph 9 above.
14 Stephen Phipps Lock-In
In consideration for the shares he controls in Desire, Stephen
Phipps and those persons connected with him will receive 22,876,751
FOGL Consideration Shares. Stephen Phipps has entered into a
conditional agreement pursuant to which he will agree not to, and
will procure that none of his associates shall, dispose of, or
agree to dispose of, any FOGL Consideration Shares at any time
until the 6 month anniversary of the admission of his FOGL
Consideration Shares to trading other than in certain agreed
circumstances.
15 Expected timetable
Desire currently anticipates that:
(a) it will despatch the Scheme Document, together with the
Forms of Proxy, to Desire Shareholders and, for information only,
to the holder of options granted under the Desire Share Schemes as
soon as reasonably practicable and in any event within the next 28
days (or such later date as may be agreed with the Panel);
(b) the Court Meeting and Desire General Meeting will take place in November 2013; and
(c) subject to the Scheme becoming unconditional and Effective
in accordance with its terms, the Combination is expected to become
effective no later than 31 December 2013, with the consideration
being issued to Desire Shareholders no later than 14 days after the
Effective Date.
In addition, FOGL currently anticipates that:
(a) it will despatch the FOGL Circular to FOGL Shareholders as
soon as reasonably practicable; and
(b) the FOGL General Meeting will take place in November 2013,
around the same time as the Court Meeting and the Desire General
Meeting.
The timing of events which relate to the implementation of the
Combination is, however, subject to the approval of the Court and
is therefore subject to change. A full anticipated timetable will
be set out in the Scheme Document.
If the Combination does not become effective by the Long Stop
Date, the Combination will lapse except where the approval of
Desire Shareholders at the Court Meeting and Desire General Meeting
is obtained before this date, in which case the Long Stop Date for
the Combination may be extended to such later date as FOGL and
Desire may agree and, if appropriate, the Court may approve.
16 Regulatory issues
The Combination will be subject to the conditions and further
terms set out below and in Appendix I, including the receipt of any
required approvals from the Falkland Islands Government and the
full terms and conditions which will be set out in the Scheme
Document.
17 Disclosure of interests in Desire Shares
Save as disclosed below, neither FOGL, nor any of the FOGL
Directors nor, so far as the FOGL Directors are aware, any other
person acting in concert with FOGL for the purposes of the
Combination, owns, controls, holds, or has borrowed or lent any
Desire Shares or any securities convertible or exchangeable into
Desire Shares or rights to subscribe for or purchase or options
(including traded options) in respect of, or derivatives referenced
to, any such Desire Shares:
Name Number of Desire Shares
Timothy Jones 16,638
David Hudd 1,000
18 Overseas Shareholders
The availability of the Combination or distribution of this
announcement to persons not resident in the United Kingdom may be
prohibited or affected by the laws of the relevant jurisdictions.
Such persons should inform themselves about, and observe, any
applicable requirements. Further details in relation to overseas
Desire Shareholders will be contained in the Scheme Document.
19 Delisting and re-registration
Upon or shortly after the Effective Date, it is intended that
FOGL will procure that Desire applies to cancel the listing of
Desire Shares on AIM.
On the Effective Date, Desire will become a wholly-owned
subsidiary of FOGL and share certificates in respect of the Desire
Shares will cease to be valid and should be destroyed. Entitlements
to Desire Shares held within the CREST system will be cancelled on
the Effective Date.
It is also proposed that, on or following the Effective Date,
Desire will be re-registered as a private limited company.
20 General
The Combination will be made on the terms and subject to the
conditions and further terms set out herein and in Appendix I to
this announcement. The bases and sources of certain financial
information contained in this announcement are set out in Appendix
II to this announcement. A summary of the Desire irrevocable
undertakings is contained in Appendix III to this announcement.
Certain terms used in this announcement are defined in Appendix IV
to this announcement.
21 Documents on display
Copies of the following documents will be made available,
subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident in any
Restricted Jurisdiction, on FOGL's website (www. fogl.com) and
Desire's website (www.desireplc.co.uk) by no later than 12 noon
(London time) on 4 October 2013) (being the Business Day following
the date of this announcement):
-- the irrevocable undertakings referred to in paragraph 3 above
and summarised in Appendix III to this announcement;
-- the confidentiality agreement referred to at paragraph 13 above;
-- the co-operation agreement referred to at paragraph 13 above; and
-- this announcement.
Enquiries:
FOGL
Tim Bushell, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 7563 1260
RBC Europe Limited (Financial Adviser,
Joint Broker and NOMAD to FOGL)
Jeremy Low / Matthew Coakes +44 (0)20 7653 4000
Jefferies International Limited (Financial
Adviser and Joint Broker to FOGL)
Richard Kent / Chris Zeal / Graham Hertrich +44 (0)20 7029 8000
Desire
Stephen Phipps, Chairman
Ian Duncan, Chief Executive Officer +44 (0)20 7436 0423
Peel Hunt LLP (Financial Adviser, Broker
and NOMAD to Desire)
Richard Crichton / Charlie Batten +44 (0)20 7418 8900
Media Enquiries:
FTI Consulting (PR Adviser to FOGL)
Ed Westropp / Natalia Erikssen +44 (0)207 831 3113
Buchanan (PR Adviser to Desire)
Tim Thompson / Tom Hufton +44 (0)20 7466 5000
The Combination will be made on the terms and subject to the
conditions and further terms set out herein and in Appendix I to
this announcement and the further terms and conditions to be set
out in the Scheme Document and Forms of Proxy when issued. The
bases and sources of certain financial information contained in
this announcement are set out in Appendix II to this announcement.
A summary of the irrevocable undertakings given by the Desire
Directors is contained in Appendix III to this announcement.
Certain terms used in this announcement are defined in Appendix IV
to this announcement.
RBC Europe Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation
Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the
Prudential Regulation Authority and is acting as financial adviser
to FOGL and no one else in connection with the contents of this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than FOGL
for providing the protections afforded to clients, or for providing
advice in relation to any matters referred to herein.
Jefferies International Limited, which is authorised and
regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting
exclusively for FOGL and no one else in connection with the
Combination and this announcement and will not be responsible to
anyone other than FOGL for providing the protections afforded to
clients of Jefferies nor for providing advice in connection with
the Combination or any matter referred to herein.
Peel Hunt LLP, which is authorised and regulated in the UK by
the Financial Conduct Authority, is acting exclusively for Desire
and no one else in connection with the Combination and this
announcement and will not be responsible to anyone other than
Desire for providing the protections afforded to clients of Peel
Hunt LLP nor for providing advice in connection with the
Combination or any matter referred to herein.
FOGL reserves the right to elect, with the consent of the Panel
(where necessary), to implement the Combination by way of a
Takeover Offer. In such event, the offer will be implemented on
substantially the same terms, subject to appropriate amendments, as
those which would apply to the Combination.
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not
constitute an offer to sell or an invitation to purchase any
securities or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities,
pursuant to the Combination or otherwise. The Combination will be
made solely by means of the Scheme Document, which will contain the
full terms and conditions of the Combination, including details of
how to vote in favour of the Scheme. Desire and FOGL urge Desire
Shareholders to read the Scheme Document which will be distributed
to Scheme Shareholders in due course (with the exception of certain
Scheme Shareholders in Restricted Jurisdictions), as it will
contain important information relating to the Combination.
This announcement does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus
equivalent document.
This announcement has been prepared for the purpose of complying
with English law and the City Code and the information disclosed
may not be the same as that which would have been disclosed if this
announcement had been prepared in accordance with the laws of
jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom.
The technical information included in this announcement in
respect of FOGL has been reviewed, verified and compiled by FOGL's
geological staff, including a qualified person, Colin More BSc.,
MSc. (Exploration Director), who has over 26 years of experience in
petroleum exploration, for the purpose of the Guidance Note for
Mining, Oil and Gas Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange
in respect of AIM companies, which outline standards of disclosure
for mineral projects. Mr. More is a member of the Geological
Society of London, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists
and the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
The technical information included in this announcement in
respect of Desire has been reviewed, verified and compiled byhas
been approved by Mr Ken Black, Exploration Director of Desire
Petroleum plc, who is a member of the Petroleum Exploration Society
of Great Britain, with over 30 years experience in petroleum
exploration and management and who is a Qualified Person in
accordance with the guidance note for Mining, Oil & Gas
Companies issued by the London Stock Exchange in respect of AIM
Companies.
Overseas shareholders
The release, publication or distribution of this announcement in
certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. Persons who are not
resident in the United Kingdom or who are subject to other
jurisdictions should inform themselves of, and observe, any
applicable requirements.
Unless otherwise determined by FOGL or required by the City Code
and permitted by applicable law and regulation, the Combination
will not be made, directly or indirectly, in, into or from a
Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in
that jurisdiction, and the Combination will not be capable of
acceptance from or within a Restricted Jurisdiction. Accordingly,
copies of this announcement and all documentation relating to the
Combination are not being, and must not be, directly or indirectly,
mailed or otherwise forwarded, distributed or sent in, into or from
a Restricted Jurisdiction where to do so would violate the laws in
that jurisdiction, and persons receiving this announcement and all
documents relating to the Combination (including custodians,
nominees and trustees) must not mail or otherwise distribute or
send them in, into or from such jurisdictions as doing so may
invalidate any purported acceptance of the Combination.
The availability of the Combination to Desire Shareholders who
are not resident in the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws
of the relevant jurisdictions in which they are resident. Persons
who are not resident in the United Kingdom should inform themselves
of, and observe, any applicable requirements.
Further details in relation to overseas shareholders will be
contained in the Scheme Document.
Forward looking statements
This announcement, any oral statements made by FOGL or Desire in
relation to the Combination, and other information published by
FOGL or Desire may contain statements about FOGL and Desire that
are or may be forward looking statements. All statements other than
statements of historical facts included in this announcement may be
forward looking statements. Without limitation, any statements
preceded or followed by or that include the words "targets",
"plans", "believes", "expects", "aims", "intends", "will", "may",
"anticipates", "estimates", "projects" or words or terms of similar
substance or the negative thereof, are forward looking statements.
Forward looking statements include statements relating to the
following: (i) future capital expenditures, expenses, revenues,
earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial
condition, dividend policy, losses and future prospects; (ii)
business and management strategies and the expansion and growth of
FOGL's or Desire's operations and potential synergies resulting
from the Combination; and (iii) the effects of government
regulation on FOGL's or Desire's business.
Such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties
that could significantly affect expected results and are based on
certain key assumptions. Many factors could cause actual results to
differ materially from those projected or implied in any forward
looking statements. Due to such uncertainties and risks, readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward looking
statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. FOGL and Desire
disclaim any obligation to update any forward looking or other
statements contained herein, except as required by applicable
law.
Not a profit forecast
No statement in this announcement is intended as a profit
forecast or profit estimate and no statement in this announcement
should be interpreted to mean that the future earnings per share of
the FOGL Group as enlarged by the Combination, FOGL and/or Desire
for current or future financial years will necessarily match or
exceed the historical or published earnings per share of FOGL or
Desire.
Disclosure requirements of the Takeover Code (the "Code")
Under Rule 8.3(a) of the Code, any person who is interested in 1
per cent. or more of any class of relevant securities of an offeree
company or of any securities exchange offeror (being any offeror
other than an offeror in respect of which it has been announced
that its offer is, or is likely to be, solely in cash) must make an
Opening Position Disclosure following the commencement of the offer
period and, if later, following the announcement in which any
securities exchange offeror is first identified. An Opening
Position Disclosure must contain details of the person's interests
and short positions in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant
securities of each of (i) the offeree company and (ii) any
securities exchange offeror(s). An Opening Position Disclosure by a
person to whom Rule 8.3(a) applies must be made by no later than
3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
commencement of the offer period and, if appropriate, by no later
than 3.30 pm (London time) on the 10th business day following the
announcement in which any securities exchange offeror is first
identified. Relevant persons who deal in the relevant securities of
the offeree company or of a securities exchange offeror prior to
the deadline for making an Opening Position Disclosure must instead
make a Dealing Disclosure.
Under Rule 8.3(b) of the Code, any person who is, or becomes,
interested in 1 per cent. or more of any class of relevant
securities of the offeree company or of any securities exchange
offeror must make a Dealing Disclosure if the person deals in any
relevant securities of the offeree company or of any securities
exchange offeror. A Dealing Disclosure must contain details of the
dealing concerned and of the person's interests and short positions
in, and rights to subscribe for, any relevant securities of each of
(i) the offeree company and (ii) any securities exchange offeror,
save to the extent that these details have previously been
disclosed under Rule 8. A Dealing Disclosure by a person to whom
Rule 8.3(b) applies must be made by no later than 3.30 pm (London
time) on the business day following the date of the relevant
dealing.
If two or more persons act together pursuant to an agreement or
understanding, whether formal or informal, to acquire or control an
interest in relevant securities of an offeree company or a
securities exchange offeror, they will be deemed to be a single
person for the purpose of Rule 8.3.
Opening Position Disclosures must also be made by the offeree
company and by any offeror and Dealing Disclosures must also be
made by the offeree company, by any offeror and by any persons
acting in concert with any of them (see Rules 8.1, 8.2 and
8.4).
Details of the offeree and offeror companies in respect of whose
relevant securities Opening Position Disclosures and Dealing
Disclosures must be made can be found in the Disclosure Table on
the Takeover Panel's website at www.thetakeoverpanel.org.uk,
including details of the number of relevant securities in issue,
when the offer period commenced and when any offeror was first
identified. You should contact the Panel's Market Surveillance Unit
on +44 (0)20 7638 0129 if you are in any doubt as to whether you
are required to make an Opening Position Disclosure or a Dealing
Disclosure.
Publication on website
A copy of this announcement will be made available, free of
charge subject to certain restrictions relating to persons resident
in Restricted Jurisdictions, at www.fogl.com and
www.desireplc.co.uk by no later than 12 noon (London time) on the
Business Day following the date of this announcement.
You may request a hard copy of this announcement, free of
charge, by contacting Capita Registrars on +44 (0) 871 664 0300.
Desire Shareholders may also request that all future documents,
announcements and information to be sent to them in relation to the
Combination should be in hard copy form.
Rule 2.10 Disclosure
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, Desire confirms that
it has342,282,198 Desire Shares in issue and admitted to listing on
the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange under ISIN reference
GB0002689494.
In accordance with Rule 2.10 of the Code, FOGL confirms that it
has 320,000,000 FOGL Shares in issue and admitted to listing on the
AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange under ISIN reference
FK00B030JM18.
APPENDIX I
CONDITIONS AND CERTAIN FURTHER TERMS OF THE COMBINATION
Part A: Conditions of the Combination
The Combination will be conditional upon the Scheme becoming
unconditional and becoming effective by no later than the Long Stop
Date, or such later date (if any) as FOGLand Desire may agree and
the Court may allow.
(a) The Scheme will be conditional upon:
(1) its approval by a majority in number representing not less
than three-fourths in value of the Scheme Shareholders (or the
relevant class or classes thereof, if applicable) present and
voting, either in person or by proxy, at the Court Meeting and at
any separate class meeting which may be required by the Court or at
any adjournment of any such meeting;
(2) all resolutions necessary to approve and implement the
Scheme being duly passed by the requisite majority or majorities at
the Desire General Meeting or at any adjournment of that meeting;
and
(3) the sanction of the Scheme with or without modification (but
subject to any such modification being acceptable to FOGL and
Desire) and the confirmation of the Capital Reduction by the Court
and:
(i) the delivery of a copy of the necessary Court Order(s) and
of the requisite statement of capital to the Registrar of
Companies; and
(ii) if the Court so orders for it to become effective, the
registration of the Court Order(s) and the statement of capital by
the Registrar of Companies.
(b) The Combination will also be conditional upon the FOGL
Shareholders approving the issue and allotment of the FOGL
Consideration Shares in the FOGL General Meeting.
In addition, FOGL and Desire have agreed that the Combination
will be conditional upon the following Conditions and, accordingly,
the necessary actions to make the Scheme effective will not be
taken unless the following Conditions (as amended if appropriate)
have been satisfied or, where relevant, waived:
(c) no indication having been made by the Office of Fair Trading
in the United Kingdom that the Combination or any matter arising
there from or related thereto will be referred to the Competition
Commission;
(d) without prejudice to paragraphs (f) or (g) below, the
Falkland Islands Government not having indicated an intention to
(i) revoke or recommend the revocation of any exploration or
production licence held by Desire or (ii) to require a further
change of control of Desire as a result of the implementation of
the Combination;
(e) the London Stock Exchange agreeing to admit the FOGL
Consideration Shares to trading on AIM subject only to the
allotment of such FOGL Consideration Shares and/or the Scheme
becoming effective;
(f) except as Disclosed, there being no provision of any
agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument to
which Desire is a party or by or to which Desire or any of its
assets may be bound, entitled or subject, which in consequence of
the Combination or the proposed acquisition of any shares or other
securities in Desire or because of a change in the control or
management of Desire or otherwise, could or might reasonably be
expected to result (in each case to the extent to which it is
material to Desire ) in:
(i) any moneys borrowed by or any other indebtedness (actual or
contingent) of, or grant available to Desire, being or becoming
repayable or capable of being declared repayable immediately or
earlier than their or its stated maturity date or repayment date or
the ability of Desire to borrow moneys or incur any indebtedness
being withdrawn or inhibited or being capable of becoming or being
withdrawn or inhibited;
(ii) any such agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or
instrument or the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of
Desire thereunder being terminated or modified or affected or any
onerous obligation or liability arising or any action being taken
or arising thereunder;
(iii) any assets or interests of Desire being or falling to be
disposed of or charged or any right arising under which any such
asset or interest could be required to be disposed of or
charged;
(iv) the creation or enforcement of any mortgage, charge or
other security interest over the whole or any part of the business,
property or assets of Desire;
(v) the rights, liabilities, obligations or interests of Desire
in, or the business of Desire with, any person, firm or body (or
any arrangement or arrangements relating to any such interest or
business) being terminated, adversely modified or affected;
(vi) the value of Desire or its financial or trading position or
prospects being prejudiced or adversely affected;
(vii) Desire ceasing to be able to carry on business under any
name under which it presently does so; or
(viii) the creation of any liability, actual or contingent, by
Desire otherwise than in the ordinary course of business,
and no event having occurred which, under any provision of any
agreement, arrangement, licence, permit or other instrument to
which Desire is a party or by or to which Desire or any of its
assets may be bound, entitled or subject, would result in any of
the events or circumstances as are referred to in sub-paragraphs
(i) to (viii) of this Condition (in each case to the extent which
it is material to Desire);
(g) no government or governmental, quasi-governmental,
supranational, statutory, regulatory, environmental or
investigative body, court, trade agency, association, institution
or any other body or person whatsoever in any jurisdiction (each a
"Third Party") having decided to take, institute, implement or
threaten any action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or
reference, or enacted, made or proposed any statute, regulation,
decision or order, or having taken any other steps which would or
might reasonably be expected, in each case, to be material to
Desire or, as the case may be, the Wider FOGL Group as a whole or
in the context of the Combination:
(i) require, prevent or delay the divestiture, or materially
alter the terms envisaged for any proposed divestiture by any
member of the Wider FOGL Group or by Desire of all or any portion
of their respective businesses, assets or property or impose any
material limitation on the ability of any of them to conduct their
respective businesses (or any of them) or to own any of their
respective assets or properties or any material part thereof;
(ii) require, prevent or delay the divestiture by any member of
the Wider FOGL Group of any shares or other securities
inDesire;
(iii) impose any limitation on, or result in a delay in, the
ability of any member of the Wider FOGL Group directly or
indirectly to acquire or to hold or to exercise effectively any
rights of ownership in respect of shares or loans or securities
convertible into shares or any other securities (or the equivalent)
in Desire or the Wider FOGL Group or to exercise management control
over any such member;
(iv) otherwise materially adversely affect the business, assets,
profits or prospects of any member of the Wider FOGL Group or of
Desire;
(v) make the Combination or its implementation or the
acquisition or proposed acquisition by FOGL or any member of the
Wider FOGL Group of any shares or other securities in, or control
of Desire void, illegal, and/or unenforceable under the laws of any
jurisdiction, or otherwise, directly or indirectly, restrain,
restrict, prohibit, delay or otherwise materially challenge or
interfere with the same, or impose material additional conditions
or obligations with respect thereto;
(vi) if FOGL elects to implement the Combination by way of an
Offer, save as pursuant to the 'squeeze-out' procedure in
accordance with the provisions of Part 28 of the Companies Act
2006, require any member of the Wider FOGL Group or Desire to offer
to acquire any shares or other securities (or the equivalent) or
interest in Desire or the Wider FOGL Group owned by any third
party; or
(vii) result in Desire ceasing to be able to carry on business
under any name under which it presently does so,
and all applicable waiting and other time periods during which
any such Third Party could institute, implement or threaten any
action, proceeding, suit, investigation, enquiry or reference or
any other step under the laws of any jurisdiction in respect of the
Combination or the acquisition or proposed acquisition of any
Desire Shares having expired, lapsed or been terminated;
(h) all necessary filings or applications having been made in
connection with the Combination and all statutory or regulatory
obligations in any jurisdiction having been complied with in
connection with the Combination or the acquisition by any member of
the Wider FOGL Group of any shares or other securities in, or
control of, Desire and all regulatory authorisations, orders,
recognitions, grants, consents, licences, confirmations,
clearances, permissions and approvals (collectively "Consents")
deemed necessary or appropriate by FOGL, acting reasonably, or
Desire for or in respect of the Combination or the proposed
acquisition of any shares or other securities in, or control of,
Desire by any member of the Wider FOGL Group having been obtained
in terms and in a form reasonably satisfactory to FOGL from any
appropriate Third Parties in each case where the absence of such
Consent would have a material adverse effect on the Wider FOGL
Group taken as a whole and all Consents reasonably necessary or
appropriate to carry on the business of Desire which is material in
the context of the FOGL Group as a whole or to Desire remaining in
full force and effect and all filings necessary for such purpose
have been made and there being no notice or intimation of any
intention to revoke or not to renew any of the same at the time at
which the Combination becomes otherwise unconditional and all
necessary statutory or regulatory obligations in any jurisdiction
having been complied with in all material respects;
(i) except as Disclosed, Desire not having, since 31 December 2012:
(i) save for Desire Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of
options granted under the Desire Share Scheme, issued, authorised
or proposed the issue of additional shares of any class;
(ii) save for the grant of options under the Desire Share
Scheme, issued or agreed to issue, authorised or proposed the issue
of securities convertible into shares of any class or rights,
warrants or options to subscribe for, or acquire, any such shares
or convertible securities;
(iii) recommended, declared, paid or made or proposed to
recommend, declare, pay or make any bonus, dividend or other
distribution whether payable in cash or otherwise;
(iv) merged or demerged with any body corporate or acquired or
disposed of or transferred, mortgaged or charged or created any
security interest over any assets or any right, title or interest
in any asset (including shares and trade investments) or authorised
or proposed or announced any intention to propose any merger,
demerger, acquisition or disposal, transfer, mortgage, charge or
security interest, in each case, other than in the ordinary course
of business and to an extent which is material to Desire;
(v) made or authorised or proposed or announced an intention to
propose any change in its loan capital;
(vi) issued, authorised or proposed the issue of any debentures
or, save in the ordinary course of business, incurred or increased
any indebtedness or become subject to any contingent liability to
an extent which is material to Desire;
(vii) purchased, redeemed or repaid or announced any proposal to
purchase, redeem or repay any of its own shares or other securities
or reduced or, save in respect to the matters mentioned in
sub-paragraph (i) above, made any other change to any part of its
share capital;
(viii) implemented, or authorised, proposed or announced its
intention to implement, any reconstruction, amalgamation, scheme,
commitment or other transaction or arrangement otherwise than in
the ordinary course of business in any case which is material to
Desire or entered into or changed the terms of any contract with
any director or senior executive of Desire, in any case to an
extent which is material to Desire;
(ix) entered into or varied or authorised, proposed or announced
its intention to enter into or vary any material contract,
transaction or commitment (whether in respect of capital
expenditure or otherwise) which is of a long term, onerous or
unusual nature or magnitude or which is or would be reasonably
likely to be materially restrictive on the businesses of Desire or
the Wider FOGL Group or which involves or is reasonably likely to
involve an obligation of such a nature or magnitude or which is
outside the ordinary course of business and in each such case is or
would reasonably likely to be material to Desire;
(x) taken any corporate action or had any legal proceedings
started or threatened against it for its winding-up, dissolution or
reorganisation or for the appointment of a receiver, administrative
receiver, administrator, trustee or similar officer of all or any
of its assets or revenues or any analogous proceedings in any
jurisdiction or had any such person appointed;
(xi) entered into any contract, transaction or arrangement which
would be restrictive on the business of Desire or the Wider FOGL
Group other than to a nature and extent which is normal in the
context of the business concerned;
(xii) waived or compromised any claim otherwise than in the
ordinary course of business which is material to Desire;
(xiii) entered into any contract, commitment, arrangement or
agreement otherwise than in the ordinary course of business or
passed any resolution or made any offer (which remains open for
acceptance) with respect to or announced any intention to, or to
propose to, effect any of the transactions, matters or events
referred to in this Condition;
(xiv) proposed, agreed to provide or modified the terms of any
share option scheme, incentive scheme, pension scheme obligationsor
other benefit relating to the employment or termination of
employment of any person employed by Desire.
(j) except as Disclosed since 31 December 2012:
(i) no material adverse change or deterioration having occurred
in the business, assets, financial or trading position or profits
or prospects of the Desire;
(ii) no litigation, arbitration proceedings, prosecution or
other legal proceedings to which Desire is or may become a party
(whether as a plaintiff, defendant or otherwise) and no
investigation by any Third Party against or in respect of Desire
having been instituted announced or threatened by or against or
remaining outstanding in respect of Desire which in any such case
might be reasonably expected to have a material adverse affect on
Desire;
(iii) no contingent or other liability having arisen or become
apparent to FOGL which would be likely to have a material effect on
Desire; and
(iv) no steps having been taken which are reasonably likely to
result in the withdrawal, cancellation, termination or modification
of any licence held by Desire which is necessary for the proper
carrying on of its business and the absence of which in any case
would have or would reasonably be expected to have a material
adverse effect on Desire;
(k) except as Disclosed, FOGL not having discovered:
(i) that any financial, business or other information concerning
Desire as contained in the information publicly disclosed at any
time by or on behalf of Desire is materially misleading, contains a
misrepresentation of fact or omits to state a fact necessary to
make that information not materially misleading and which was not
subsequently corrected before 2 October 2013 by public disclosure,
in any case which is material to Desire; and
(ii) that Desireis subject to any liability (contingent or
otherwise) which is material to Desire;
(l) FOGL not having discovered that:
(i) Desire has failed to comply with any and/or all applicable
legislation or regulation, of any jurisdiction with regard to the
disposal, spillage, release, discharge, leak or emission of any
waste or hazardous substance or any substance likely to impair the
environment or harm human health or animal health or otherwise
relating to environmental matters, or that there has otherwise been
any such disposal, spillage, release, discharge, leak or emission
(whether or not the same constituted a non-compliance by any person
with any such legislation or regulations, and wherever the same may
have taken place) any of which disposal, spillage, release,
discharge, leak or emission would be likely to give rise to any
liability (actual or contingent) on the part of Desire and which is
material to Desire; or
(ii) there is, or is likely to be, for that or any other reason
whatsoever, any material liability (actual or contingent) of Desire
to make good, repair, reinstate or clean up any property or any
controlled waters now or previously owned, occupied, operated or
made use of or controlled by Desire, under any environmental
legislation, regulation, notice, circular or order of any
government, governmental, quasi-governmental, state or local
government, supranational, statutory or other regulatory body,
agency, court, association or any other person or body in any
jurisdiction and which is material to Desire.
To the extent permitted by law and subject to the requirements
of the Panel, FOGL reserves the right to waive, in whole or in
part, all or any of Conditions (a) to (l) above, except for
Condition (a), which cannot be waived.
Conditions (c) to (l) (inclusive) must be fulfilled or waived by
no later than 11.59pm on the date immediately preceding the date of
the Court hearing to sanction the Scheme, failing which the Scheme
will lapse. FOGL shall be under no obligation to waive or treat as
satisfied any of Conditions (c) to (l) (inclusive) by a date
earlier than the latest date specified above for the fulfilment or
waiver thereof, notwithstanding that the other Conditions of the
offer may at such earlier date have been waived or fulfilled and
that there are at such earlier date no circumstances indicating
that any of such Conditions may not be capable of fulfilment.
If FOGL is required by the Panel to make an offer for Desire
Shares under the provisions of Rule 9 of the Code, FOGL may make
such alterations to any of the above Conditions as are necessary to
comply with the provisions of that Rule.
FOGL reserves the right to elect (with the consent of the Panel)
to implement the Combination by way of a takeover offer (as defined
in Part 28 of the Companies Act). In such event, such Offer will be
implemented on the same terms, so far as applicable, as those which
would apply to the Scheme, subject to appropriate amendments to
reflect the change in method of effecting the Combination,
including (without limitation and subject to the consent of the
Panel) an acceptance condition that is set at 90 per cent. (or such
lesser percentage, being more than 50 per cent., as FOGL may,
subject to the Code and with the consent of the Panel, decide) (i)
in nominal value of the shares to which such Offer relates; and
(ii) of the voting rights attached to those shares; and (iii) of
the voting rights normally exercisable at a general meeting of
Desire, including, for this purpose, any such voting rights
attaching to Desire Shares that are unconditionally allotted or
issued before the takeover offer becomes or is declared
unconditional as to acceptances, whether pursuant to the exercise
of any outstanding subscription or conversion rights or
otherwise.
The availability of the Combination to persons not resident in
the United Kingdom may be affected by the laws of the relevant
jurisdictions. Persons who are not resident in the United Kingdom
should inform themselves about and observe any applicable
requirements.
The Combination will be governed by English law and will be
subject to the jurisdiction of the English courts and to the
Conditions set out in this announcement and in the formal Scheme
Document (or Offer Document and related Form of Acceptance, as the
case may be). The Combination will comply with the applicable rules
and regulations of the Financial Conduct Authority and the London
Stock Exchange and the Code.
Each of the Conditions shall be regarded as a separate Condition
and shall not be limited by reference to any other Condition.
Part B: Certain further terms of the Combination
The Combination will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or
into, or by use of the mails of, or by any means or instrumentality
(including, without limitation, facsimile transmission, telex,
telephone, internet or e-mail) of interstate or foreign commerce
of, or of any facility of a national securities exchange of, the
United States, Canada, Japan or Australia and the Combination will
not be capable of acceptance by any such use, means,
instrumentality or facility or from within the United States,
Canada, Japan or Australia.
Desire Shares which will be acquired under the Combination will
be acquired fully paid and free from all liens, equities, charges,
encumbrances, options, rights of pre-emption and any other third
party rights and interests of any nature and together with all
rights now or hereafter attaching or accruing to them, including
voting rights and the right to receive and retain in full all
dividends and other distributions (if any) declared, made or paid
on or after the date of this announcement.
APPENDIX II
SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND BASES OF CALCULATION
In this announcement:
(i) As at the close of business on 2 October 2013, being the
last business day prior to the date of this announcement, FOGL had
in issue 320,000,000 FOGL Shares and Desire had in issue
342,282,198Desire Shares. The ISIN for FOGL Shares is FK00B030JM18
and for the Desire Shares is GB0002689494.
(ii) The values placed on the issued share capital of Desire
(approximately GBP61 million) is based on 342,282,198 Desire Shares
in issue on 2 October 2013, being the last dealing day prior to the
date of this announcement.
(iii) The closing mid-market share prices of FOGL Shares on 2
October 2013, referred to in this announcement are derived from the
London Stock Exchange Daily Official List.
(iv) The closing mid-market share prices of Desire Shares on 2
October 2013, referred to in this announcement are derived from the
London Stock Exchange Daily Official List.
(v) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information relating
to Desire is extracted or derived from the Annual Report and the
Interim Report (without any adjustment).
(vi) Unless otherwise stated, the financial information relating
to FOGL is extracted or derived from the Annual Report and Accounts
of FOGL for the financial year to 31 December 2012 and the interim
results for the six months to 30 June 2013 (without any
adjustments).
APPENDIX III
DESIRE IRREVOCABLE UNDERTAKINGS
Directors and other employees
FOGL has received irrevocable undertakings from the Desire
Directors to vote in favour of the Scheme and the resolutions to be
proposed at the Court Meeting and the Desire General Meeting (and
if the Combination is subsequently structured as a Takeover Offer,
to accept any such offer made by FOGL) in respect of their entire
holdings in Desire Shares, representing approximately 10.9 per
cent. of the existing issued ordinary share capital of Desire.
Details of these undertakings are set out below.
All the irrevocable undertakings remain binding in the event of
a higher competing offer for Desire however they will cease to be
binding if:
(i) FOGL announces, with the consent of the Panel, that it does
not intend to make or proceed with the Combination; or
(ii) the Scheme or Offer (as applicable) lapses, closes or is
withdrawn (as applicable) and/or the Panel confirms that FOGL is no
longer required to proceed with the Scheme.
Details of irrevocable undertakings
The following Desire Directors have given irrevocable
undertakings on the terms summarised above:
Desire Shares subject to irrevocable undertakings
Name Number of Desire Shares % of Desire issued share capital
Directors:
Stephen Phipps 36,702,633 10.72%
Ian Duncan 485,369 0.14%
Eddie Wisniewski 30,000 0.009%
Ken Black 75,000 0.022%
Andrew Windham 37,555 0.011%
Robert Lyons 75,000 0.022%
Graeme Thomson 0 0%
APPENDIX IV
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions apply throughout this announcement
unless the context requires otherwise.
"AIM" the AIM market of the London Stock
Exchange
"AIM Rules" the AIM Rules for Companies
"Annual Report" and "Accounts" the annual report and accounts of
Desire or FOGL for the year ended
31 December 2012
"Business Day" any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday
or a bank or public holiday in England
"Capital Reduction" the proposed reduction of the ordinary
share capital of Desire provided by
the Scheme under section 641 of the
Companies Act
"Capital Reduction Hearing" the hearing by the Court to confirm
the Capital Reduction at which the
Reduction Court Order is expected
to be granted
"City Code" or "Code" The City Code on Takeovers and Mergers,
as amended from time to time
"Closing Price" the closing middle market quotation
of a Desire or a FOGL Share as derived
from the Daily Official List
"Combination" the proposed acquisition of the entire
issued and to be issued share capital
of Desire by FOGL to be implemented
by means of the Scheme (or, if FOGL
so elects, a Takeover Offer) on the
terms and subject to the Conditions
set out in this announcement and to
be set out in the Scheme Document
(or the Offer Document (as the case
may be)) and, where the context admits,
any subsequent revision, variation,
extension or renewal thereof
"Combined Group" the FOGL Group (including Desire)
following the Effective Date
"Companies Act" the Companies Act 2006 (as amended,
modified, consolidated, re-enacted
or replaced from time to time)
"Conditions" the conditions of the Combination
set out in Appendix I to this announcement
and to be set out in the Scheme Document
and a "Condition" shall mean any one
of them
"Court" the High Court of Justice in England
and Wales
"Court Meeting" the meeting (or any adjournment thereof)
of the Scheme Shareholders to be convened
by order of the Court pursuant to
Part 26 of the Companies Act to consider
and, if thought fit, approve the Scheme
(with or without modification)
"Court Orders" the Scheme Court Order and the Reduction
Court Order
"CREST" the relevant system (as defined in
the CREST Regulations) in respect
of which Euroclear UK & Ireland Limited
is the operator (as defined in the
CREST Regulations)
"CREST Regulations" the Uncertificated Securities Regulations
2001 (SI 2001 No. 3755), as amended
from time to time
"Daily Official List" the Daily Official List published
by the London Stock Exchange
"Dealing Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8
of the Code
"Desire" Desire Petroleum plc
"Desire Directors" the directors of Desire as at the
date of this announcement
"Desire General Meeting" the general meeting (or any adjournment
thereof) of the Desire Shareholders
to be convened in connection with
the Scheme, expected to be held as
soon as the preceding Court Meeting
shall have been concluded or adjourned
"Desire Share Schemes" the Desire Petroleum plc Unapproved
Executive Share Option Scheme adopted
on 7 April 1998 and the Desire Incentive
Plan 2006
"Desire Shareholders" the holders of Desire Shares from
or "Shareholders" time to time
"Desire Shares" the existing unconditionally allotted
or issued and fully paid ordinary
shares of 1 pence each in the capital
of Desire and any further such ordinary
shares which are unconditionally allotted
before the Scheme becomes effective
"Disclosed" (i) publicly announced via a Regulatory
Information Service by or on behalf
of Desire prior to 3 October 2013,
(ii) disclosed in the Annual Report
and Accounts of Desire for the financial
year ended 31 December 2012, (iii)
disclosed in the Interim Report of
Desire for the six months ended 30
June 2013 or (iv) as fairly disclosed
in writing by or on behalf of Desire
to FOGL or its advisers in connection
with the Combination prior to 3 October
2013
"Edison International" Edison International S.p.A.
"Effective Date" the date on which the Scheme becomes
effective
"Excluded Shares" any Desire Shares of which any member
of the FOGL Group is the holder or
in which any member of the FOGL Group
is beneficially interested
"Financial Conduct Authority" the United Kingdom Financial Services
Authority and any successor or replacement
regulatory body or bodies
"FOGL" Falkland Oil & Gas Limited
"FOGL Circular" the document to be sent to FOGL Shareholders
which will, among other things, contain
the notice convening the FOGL General
Meeting
"FOGL Consideration Shares" new FOGL Shares to be allotted and
issued to Desire Shareholders pursuant
to the terms and conditions of the
Scheme should the Scheme become effective,
to be constituted by the FOGL Depository
Interests
"FOGL Depository Interests" the depository interests in respect
of the FOGL Shares
"FOGL Directors" the directors of FOGL as at the date
of this announcement
"FOGL General Meeting" the extraordinary general meeting
(or any adjournment thereof) of the
FOGL Shareholders to be convened in
connection with the FOGL Resolution,
notice of which will be set out in
the FOGL Circular
"FOGL Group" means FOGL, its subsidiaries and subsidiary
undertakings
"FOGL Resolution" the ordinary resolution to be proposed
at the FOGL General Meeting for the
purpose of authorising the FOGL Directors
to issue and allot the FOGL Consideration
Shares
"FOGL Shares" Ordinary shares in the capital of
FOGL, with a nominal value of 0.002
pence each
"Forms of Proxy" the forms of proxy to be enclosed
with the Scheme Document for use at
the Court Meeting and Desire General
Meeting
"FSA" the Financial Services Authority
"FSMA" the Financial Services and Markets
Act 2000 and any subordinate legislation
made under it, or any applicable successor
or replacement regulatory regime in
the UK
"GIP" gas in place
"Heads of Agreement" the heads of agreement among FOGL,
Premier and Rockhopper
"Interim Report" the interim report and accounts of
Desire for the six months ended 30
June 2013
"Jefferies" Jefferies International Limited
"London Stock Exchange" London Stock Exchange plc
"Long Stop Date" means 31 May 2014
"Offer Document" in the event FOGL elects to implement
the Combination by means of a Takeover
Offer, the document containing the
Takeover Offer to be sent to Desire
Shareholders
"Noble Energy" Noble Energy Falklands Limited
"Offer Period" the offer period (as defined in the
City Code) relating to Desire which
commenced on 3 October 2013
"Opening Position Disclosure" has the same meaning as in Rule 8
of the Code
"Panel" the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers
"Premier" Premier Oil Exploration and Production
Limited
"RBC" RBC Europe Limited
"Reduction Court Order" the order of the Court confirming
the Capital Reduction under section
641 of the Companies Act
"Registrar of Companies" the Registrar of Companies in England
and Wales
"Restricted Jurisdiction" any such jurisdiction where local
laws or regulations may result in
significant risk of civil, regulatory
or criminal exposure if information
concerning the Combination is sent
or made available to Desire Shareholders
in that jurisdiction (in accordance
with Rule 23.2 of the City Code)
"Rockhopper" Rockhopper Exploration (Oil) Limited
"Scheme Court Order" the order of the Court sanctioning
the Scheme under Part 26 of the Companies
Act
"Scheme Document" the document to be sent to Desire
Shareholders which will, among other
things, contain the terms and conditions
of the Scheme and notices convening
the Court Meeting and the Desire General
Meeting
"Scheme Record Time" anticipated to be 6.00pm on the Business
Day before the Capital Reduction Hearing
"Scheme Shareholders" the holders of Scheme Shares
"Scheme Shares" the Desire Shares:
(a) in issue at the date of the Scheme
Document;
(b) (if any) issued after the date
of the Scheme Document and prior to
the Voting Record Time; or
(c) (if any) issued at or after the
Voting Record Time and at or prior
to the Scheme Record Time either on
terms that the original or any subsequent
holders thereof shall be bound by
the Scheme and/or in respect of which
the original or any subsequent holders
thereof are, or shall have agreed
in writing to be, bound by the Scheme,
in each case, excluding any Excluded
Shares
"Scheme" or "Scheme of the proposed scheme of arrangement
Arrangement" made under Part 26 of the Companies
Act between Desire and the Scheme
Shareholders (with or subject to any
modification, addition or condition
approved or imposed by the Court and
agreed to by FOGL and Desire) particulars
of which will be set out in the Scheme
Document
"Takeover Offer" the implementation of the Combination
by means of a takeover offer under
the City Code
"United Kingdom" or "UK" the United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
"United States" the United States of America, its
territories and possessions, any State
of the United States of America and
the District of Columbia
"US$" means United States Dollars
"Voting Record Time" the time and date specified in the
Scheme Document by reference to which
entitlement to vote on the Scheme
will be determined
"Wider FOGL Group" FOGL, its subsidiaries, subsidiary
undertakings and associated undertakings
and any other body corporate, partnership,
joint venture or person in which FOGL
and such undertakings (aggregating
their interests) have a direct or
indirect interest of 20 per cent.
or more of the voting or equity capital
or the equivalent
For the purposes of this announcement, "subsidiary", "subsidiary
undertaking", "undertaking" and "associated undertaking" have the
respective meanings given thereto by the Companies Act.
All references to "pounds", "pounds Sterling", "Sterling",
"GBP", "pence", "penny" and "p" are to the lawful currency of the
United Kingdom.
All the times referred to in this announcement are London times
unless otherwise stated.
References to the singular include the plural and vice
versa.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
MSCEAKEDEAADFEF
Desire Petroleum (LSE:DES)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Nov 2024 a Dic 2024
Desire Petroleum (LSE:DES)
Gráfica de Acción Histórica
De Dic 2023 a Dic 2024