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Tuesday 08 June, 2010

Northern Petroleum PLC

Final Results


Embargoed for release: 0700 on 8 June 2010

                            Northern Petroleum Plc                             

             ("Northern Petroleum", "Northern", or the "Company")              

              Audited Results for the Year Ended 31 December 2009              

Northern Petroleum Plc, an independent oil and gas exploration, development and
production company announces its audited results for the year ended 31 December
2009.

Highlights:

Operational:

  * At 31 December 2009 the Company had 102.9 million barrels of oil
    equivalence of net proven and probable reserves, representing an increase 
    of 34.6% from the 76.4 barrels of oil equivalence reported at the end of
    2008;
   
  * At the end of 2009, production had increased to 1320 barrels of oil
    equivalence per day (boepd) with the commissioning of two new gas fields in
    The Netherlands. The production rate at the start of the year was 367 boepd
    ; and
   
  * The Company conducted two seismic surveys during 2009, recording 3067km of
    2D data and set up a 1520km2 3D survey which was recorded in early 2010.
   
Financial:

  * The Company made a record capital investment of €29.7 million, to develop 
    its reserves and resources;
   
  * The Company made a post tax loss of €2.15 million for the year;
   
  * At the end of 2009 the Company had €15 million of cash, plus €3.5 million
    of working capital; and
   
  * The Company successfully completed the acquisition of the outstanding
    shares in ATI Oil Plc which it did not already own.
   
Outlook:

  * Development of two further gas fields in the Netherlands is going to plan 
    with first production on schedule for 2010;
   
  * The Company is developing plans to participate in the drilling of up to six
    wells over the next 12 months; and
   
  * The Company expects to have achieved a production rate in excess of 1,750
    barrels of oil equivalence a day by the end of 2010.
   
RESULTS SUMMARY

                                                       Year ended    Year ended
                                                      31 December   31 December
                                                             2009          2008
                                                            €'000         €'000
                                                                               
Revenue                                                     5,084         6,954
                                                                               
Gross profit                                                1,482         2,825
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit for the year                              (2,151)         9,914
                                                                               
Profit on disposal of tangible assets                           -         8,943
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit for the year adjusted for asset           (2,151)           971
sales                                                                          
                                                                               
Basic (loss) / earnings per share on result 
for the year                                        (2.9) € cents  14.1 € cents
                                                                               
Capital expenditure                                        29,707         3,686
                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents                                  15,002        34,927
                                                                               
Other working capital                                       3,476        11,487
                                                                               
Net assets                                                 73,764        63,545
                                                                               
Total Group distributable reserves                         54,769        33,023
                                                                               
Production (million boe)                                     0.13          0.12
                                                                               
Average revenue, in currency of receipt, per boe:                              
                                                                               
Gas                                                        €33.45        €53.97
                                                                               
Oil                                                        $56.43        $90.44
                                                                               
Unaudited Net Commercial Oil & Gas Reserve                 
Quantities - Proven and Probable reserves (million boe)    102.88         76.43


Richard Latham, Chairman, commented:

"The world's economies may give us all some uncertainties, but as shareholders
of Northern there are positive factors we should enjoy. Our strategies on
technology, partnerships and low-cost acquisition of assets are now proving
extremely effective in producing value.

  * We have completed a highly successful hydraulic reservoir fracturing
    programme and placed in production, at enhanced flow rates the first two of
    six fields in our Netherlands' core area, Grolloo and the very much larger
    Geesbrug.
   
  * We captured five more Netherlands discoveries. It is expected that these
    will add to our reserves and forecast levels of production.
   
  * We have, together with Shell Italia, progressed our joint venture offshore
    of Sicily, completing a 3D seismic survey within budget. The data is being
    mapped with results due later this year.
   
  * We made a successful offer for the acquisition of outstanding shares in ATI
    Oil Plc.
   
  * We have established, together with our co-venturer Providence Resources
    Plc, a project in the UK to drill a long reach well with the potential to
    immediately put into production the Baxters Copse oil discovery of 5.36
    million barrels gross of 2P reserves.
   
  * We have together with Tullow Oil had our confidence in the venture offshore
    Guyane reinforced. Both Shell and Total have joined the project. A 2,500km²
    3D seismic survey has been completed to set up the first well.
   
  * The oil price is back in the range of US$60-90 per barrel which is
    refuelling interest in our high impact assets offshore Italy.
   
""It is a time to perceive our glass to be better than half full. Northern
finished the year with an increase of 35 per cent in our Proven and Probable
Reserves to 103 million barrels of oil equivalence. We now have 56 licences and
applications. By the end of 2010 we expect to have achieved a production rate
in excess of 1,750 barrels of oil equivalence a day.

"In the year we report a small loss of €2.2 million. We invested €29.7 million
of capital expenditure and started the current year with cash and working
capital of €18.5 million.

"Our target is to increase production and revenues by bringing on-stream the
Wijk en Aalburg and Brakel gas fields and drilling further production wells in
the Netherlands. This will build a position of greater financial strength from
which to progress development of our very strong asset position and the
multitude of projects that we have created. In the near term we must
differentiate between the many high impact offshore projects, requiring new
partners with the finance that they will bring, and those low risk and medium
impact projects that we can progress ourselves.

"Our history shows that we have every reason to be confident that our strategy
of building strong long-term relationships and alliances will enable us to
exploit our resource potential and create shareholder value. We remain focused
on building within our core areas - areas with the potential to establish and
expand our presence to a size where we are a material player, and which can
make a very considerable impact on the Company's profits.

"In that context we have reviewed our position onshore south of England. It has
good profit potential. We are pleased to look forward to the drilling of two
wells in 2010 with at least one more in 2011. Two of the wells will target
proven and probable reserves and an independent audit has confirmed their
potential . However, future expansion potential is considered to be less than
elsewhere in the Group portfolio. It may now be the time to realise the asset
value we have created and redeploy those funds elsewhere in the business. We
have successfully used this strategy of taking an early exit in Ireland and
Spain and investing the funds elsewhere.

"In The Netherlands, where considerable achievements were made in 2009, we are
completing the first stage of the development of our initial six fields before
increasing production through the drilling of one or more further wells in most
of these fields. We correctly assessed that we could add further fields and
discoveries within this core area. In the next phase we intend to develop two
gas fields on the newly awarded Zuid Friesland production licence together with
our partners EBN, Dyas, NAM, PetroCanada and Total.

"We are also enthused by the potential of three undeveloped discoveries in our
Utrecht licence where we have now been joined by the state owned company, EBN.
It is the first time that EBN has elected to enter into the exploration phase
of any onshore licences. We value their strong support.

"The Northern technical team is generating new exploration concepts in The
Netherlands. We continue our relationship with NAM through discussion on the
mutual benefits of our development of some of their past discoveries.

"Gratifyingly in Italy, which holds the greatest potential of all, we have
continued to build and develop our evaluation of a number of core areas. 2009
saw both the acquisition of the outstanding shares in ATI Oil Plc and new
preliminary licence awards making encouraging prospective additions to core
areas.

"We have been an industry leader in several regions of Italy in identifying and
then acquiring key licences in prospective areas and have been a catalyst in
revitalising oil industry interest in Italy. Our foresight, good relations with
the Italian authorities and track record of commercial partnerships are now
paying off. We have developed a position of strength at costs within our means
through examination of well logs, reprocessing existing seismic data and
undertaking new seismic surveys. Our valuable offshore licences have the
potential to attract major industry players who recognise their high future
potential profitability that more than justifies the cost of farming in at the
exploration or development stage.

"As Northern's operations and prospects grow, the Board recognises that its
capacity must also grow. Changes have been made to ensure that we have the
strengths to capitalise on our opportunities. Nigel Wright has recently been
appointed Finance Director. He has brought with him a wealth of experience in
the petroleum industry. He takes over the role from Chris Foss who, in his new
role as Director of Legal & Corporate Affairs, will use his seven years of
experience with us, to assist the Managing Director in the implementation and
delivery of the corporate strategic plan. All of our employees deserve to have
our thanks for the commitment they have shown in the past challenging but
successful twelve months.

"With the quality and scale of our prospects, we will respond to the challenges
and opportunities and we will realise value from our considerable asset base."

In accordance with the AIM Rules - Guidance for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies,
the information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and signed off
by the Exploration and Technical Director of Northern, Mr Graham Heard CGeol
FGS, who has over 35 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

                                   - Ends -                                    

Enquiries:

Northern Petroleum Plc
Nigel Wright, Finance Director
Graham Heard, Exploration and Technical Director
Sophie Hull, Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7469 2900/67

Cenkos Securities (NOMAD and Joint Broker)
Jon Fitzpatrick
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 8900
Ken Fleming
Tel: +44 (0) 131 220 6939

Jefferies International (Joint Broker)
Chris Snoxall
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7029 8000

Financial Dynamics
Billy Clegg / Edward Westropp
Tel: +44 (0) 20 7318 3113


Notes to Editors:

Further information on Northern is available at www.northpet.com


Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended 31 December 2009

                                                                 Year      Year
                                                                ended     ended
                                                                   31        31
                                                             December  December
                                                                 2009      2008
                                             Notes              €'000     €'000
                                                                               
                                                                               
Revenue                                                         5,084     6,954
                                                                               
Production costs                                              (2,077)    (1,752)
                                                                               
Depletion and amortisation - property,                        (1,525)    (2,377)
plant & equipment                                                              
                                                                               
Cost of sales                                                 (3,602)    (4,129)
                                                                               
Gross profit                                                    1,482     2,825
                                                                               
Pre-licence costs                                               (847)     (463)
                                                                               
Administrative expenses - other                               (2,565)   (1,774)
                                                                               
Administrative expenses - share                               (1,927)     (137)
incentives                                                                     
                                                                               
Administrative expenses - total                               (4,492)   (1,911)
                                                                               
Other operating income                                              -        57
                                                                               
Profit on disposal of tangible assets                               -     8,943
                                                                               
Deemed profit on disposal of associate                              -         1
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit from operations                               (3,857)     9,452
                                                                               
Finance charges                                                 (552)     (711)
                                                                               
Finance income                                                  1,365     2,959
                                                                               
Share of operating loss of joint                                 (80)     (142)
ventures & associates                                                          
                                                                               
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit before tax                                    (3,124)    11,558
                                                                               
                                                                               
Tax credit / (expense)                                            973   (1,644)
                                                                               
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit for the year                                  (2,151)     9,914
                                                                               
Basic earnings per share on (loss) /             3             (2.9)       14.1
profit for the year                                             cents     cents
                                                                               
Diluted earnings per share on (loss) /           3             (2.9)       13.5
profit for the year                                             cents     cents

All results are from continuing activities and are attributable to equity
shareholders of the parent.


Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
For the year ended 31 December 2009
                                                          Year ended Year ended
                                                                  31         31
                                                            December   December
                                                                2009       2008
                                                               €'000      €'000
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit for the year                                 (2,151)      9,914
                                                                               
Exchange differences on translation of                          (41)    (2,187)
foreign operations                                                             
                                                                               
Other comprehensive income for the year,                        (41)    (2,187)
net of income tax                                                              
                                                                               
Total comprehensive income for the year                      (2,192)      7,727
                                                                               
All amounts are attributable to equity shareholders of the parent.



Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
at 31 December 2009
                                                                2009       2008
                                    Notes                      €'000      €'000
                                                                               
Assets                                                                         
                                                                               
Non-current assets                                                             
                                                                               
Intangible assets                       4                     27,880     12,369
                                                                               
Property, plant and equipment           5                     45,895     12,498
                                                                               
Investments in joint ventures                                    259         70
                                                                               
Investments in associates                                         15         13
                                                                               
Loans and other receivables                                      118      5,613
                                                                               
                                                              74,167     30,563
                                                                               
Current assets                                                                 
                                                                               
Inventories                                                       98         55
                                                                               
Trade and other receivables             6                     14,376     21,249
                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents                                     15,002     34,927
                                                                               
                                                              29,476     56,231
                                                                               
Total assets                                                 103,643     86,794
                                                                               
Liabilities                                                                    
                                                                               
Current liabilities                                                            
                                                                               
Trade and other payables                                       8,103      5,949
                                                                               
Corporation tax liability                                      2,895      3,868
                                                                               
                                                              10,998      9,817
                                                                               
Non-current liabilities                                                        
                                                                               
Trade and other payables                                         169         74
                                                                               
Provisions                                                     9,564      6,697
                                                                               
Deferred tax liabilities                                       9,148      6,661
                                                                               
                                                              18,881     13,432
                                                                               
Total liabilities                                             29,879     23,249
                                                                               
Net assets                                                    73,764     63,545
                                                                               
Capital and reserves                                                           
                                                                               
Share capital                           7                      4,983      4,488
                                                                               
Share premium                                                    194     23,964
                                                                               
Merger reserve                                                10,289          -
                                                                               
Special reserve                                               28,410      4,544
(Distributable)                                                                
                                                                               
Special reserve                                                  173        154
(Un-distributable)                                                             
                                                                               
Share incentive plan                                           3,865      2,384
reserve                                                                        
                                                                               
Foreign currency                                               (509)      (468)
translation reserve                                                            
                                                                               
Retained earnings                                             26,359     28,479
                                                                               
Total equity                                                  73,764     63,545

All amounts are attributable to equity shareholders of the parent.

REGISTERED NO. 02933545


Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
for the year ended 31 December 2009
                                                       Year ended    Year ended
                                                      31 December   31 December
                                                             2009          2008
                                                            €'000         €'000
                                                                               
Cash flows from operating activities                                           
                                                                               
(Loss) / profit before tax                                (3,124)        11,558
                                                                               
Depletion and amortisation                                  1,525         2,377
                                                                               
Depreciation - non oil and gas property,                      181           204
plant and equipment                                                            
                                                                               
Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment             -       (8,937)
                                                                               
Foreign exchange gain                                       (567)         (898)
                                                                               
Finance income                                              (798)       (2,061)
                                                                               
Finance charges                                               552           711
                                                                               
Share based payments                                        1,210           442
                                                                               
Expenses settled by issue of shares                            63            64
                                                                               
Share of operating loss in associate                           80           142
                                                                               
Deemed profit on disposal of associate                          -           (1)
                                                                               
Net cash (outflow) / inflow before movements in             (878)         3,601
working capital                                                                
                                                                               
(Increase) / decrease in inventories                         (43)            45
                                                                               
Decrease / (increase) in trade and                          9,831       (5,635)
other receivables                                                              
                                                                               
Increase in trade and other payables                        2,127         2,064
                                                                               
Net cash inflow / (outflow) from changes in                11,915       (3,526)
working capital                                                                
                                                                               
Taxes paid                                                  (964)             -
                                                                               
Net cash inflow from operating activities                  10,073            75
                                                                               
Cash flows from investing activities                                           
                                                                               
Interest received                                             178         1,485
                                                                               
Interest paid                                                (69)          (10)
                                                                               
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                (16,939)       (1,915)
                                                                               
Sale of property, plant and equipment                           -         8,989
                                                                               
Expenditure on exploration and                           (12,768)       (1,771)
evaluation assets                                                              
                                                                               
Investment in joint venture company                         (183)          (87)
                                                                               
Loans to joint ventures and                                     -         (144)
associated companies                                                           
                                                                               
Acquisition costs of ATI net of cash                        (727)             -
and cash equivalents acquired (note 8)                                           
                                                                               
Net cash (outflow) / inflow from                         (30,508)         6,547
investing activities                                                           
                                                                               
Cash flows from financing activities                                           
                                                                               
Proceeds from the exercise of equity warrants                  60            35
                                                                               
Net cash inflow from financing activities                      60            35
                                                                               
Net (decrease) / increase in cash and                    (20,375)         6,657
cash equivalents                                                               
                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents at start of year                 34,927        28,929
                                                                           
Effect of exchange rate movements                             450         (659)
                                                                               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                   15,002        34,927

Other than the ATI acquisition (note 8) there have been no significant non-cash
transactions during the year.


Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
for the year ended 31 December 2009

                                                     Share     Foreign                          
                          Share                  incentive    currency                   
                Share   premium  Merger  Special      plan translation   Retained         
              capital   account reserve reserves   reserve     reserve   earnings   Total
                €'000     €'000   €'000    €'000     €'000       €'000     €'000    €'000
                                                                                         
At 1 January                                                                             
2008            4,468    23,885       -    4,698     3,200       1,719    17,307   55,277
                                                                                         
Total                                                                                    
comprehensive                                                                            
income for                                                                               
the year            -         -       -        -         -     (2,187)     9,914    7,727
                                                                                         
Issue of                                                                                 
shares during      20        79       -        -         -           -         -       99
the year                                                                                 
                                                                                         
Equity share                                                                             
warrants                                                                                 
exercised           -         -       -        -   (1,258)           -     1,258        -
                                                                                         
Share based                                                                              
payments            -         -       -        -       442           -         -      442
                                                                                         
At 31                                                                                    
December 2008   4,488    23,964       -    4,698     2,384       (468)    28,479   63,545
                                                                                         
Total                                                                                    
comprehensive                                                                            
income for                                                                               
the year            -         -       -        -         -        (41)   (2,151)  (2,192)
                                                                                         
Cancellation                                                                             
of share                                                                                 
premium             -  (23,885)       -   23,885         -           -         -        -
account                                                                                  
                                                                                         
Issue of                                                                                 
shares during       8       115       -        -         -           -         -      123
the year                                                                                 
                                                                                         
ATI               487         -  10,289        -       302           -         -   11,078
acquisition                                                                              
                                                                                         
Equity share                                                                             
warrants            -         -       -        -      (31)           -        31        -
exercised                                                                                
                                                                                         
Share based                                                                              
payments            -         -       -        -     1,210           -         -    1,210
                                                                                         
At 31                                                                                    
December 2009   4,983       194  10,289   28,583     3,865       (509)    26,359   73,764

All amounts are attributable to equity shareholders of the parent.



Notes to the Group Financial Statements
at 31 December 2009

1. BASIS OF PREPARATION
   
The financial information set out above does not constitute the Company's
statutory accounts for the years ended 31 December 2009 or 2008 but is derived
from those accounts. Statutory accounts for 2008 have been delivered to the
Registrar of Companies, and those for 2009 will be delivered in due course. The
auditors have reported on those accounts; their reports were (i) unqualified,
(ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditors drew
attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report and (iii) did not
contain a statement under section 237 (2) or (3) of the Companies Act 1985 in
respect of the accounts for 2008 nor a statement under section 498 (2) or (3)
of the Companies Act 2006 in respect of the accounts for 2009.

Going concern basis of preparation

After consideration of the guidance provided to company directors by the
Financial Reporting Council (FRC) in the document "Going Concern and Liquidity
Risk: Guidance for Directors of UK Companies 2009" the Directors consider the
use of the going concern basis of accounting is appropriate for the Company
because no material uncertainties related to events or conditions that may cast
significant doubt about the ability of the Company to continue as a going
concern have been identified by the Directors.

The Company has processes in place in order to ensure a reasonable cash balance
is maintained at all times. The Company continually monitors its cash balances
and these are reported to the Board at least weekly. The Board also reviews the
forecast cash balance at the end of each of the next twelve months on a rolling
basis. Before making a decision to add new commitments the Board considers the
risks to the delivery of these cash forecasts.

The Group has created a substantial range of projects and opportunities. The
Group can only fund a very small portion of these opportunities from its
current cash balances. Projects will be funded from cash flow from production,
whilst others will have to wait on cash created by trading of assets, such as
the UK assets, and other projects will require farming out before they can
progress. The Group has no external debt but now has the production and reserve
base to obtain debt and the Board is considering using this capacity to fund
some projects. In addition the Company has authority from its shareholders to
raise cash by the issue of new shares to fund its programmes.

After making enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the
Group has adequate resources to meet all its commitments and to continue in
operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly they continue to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the Annual Report and Accounts.


2. ACCOUNTING POLICIES
   
The financial information presented in this results announcement for the year
ended 31 December 2009 has been prepared in accordance with International
Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted
by the European Union at 31 December 2009.

The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these
consolidated group financial statements are set out in the 2008 Annual Report.
These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented,
unless otherwise stated.

Changes in accounting policies

In the current year, the following new and revised standards and
Interpretations have been adopted but have had no effect on the amounts
reported in these group financial statements.

IAS 1 - Presentation of Financial Statements:

In September 2007, the IASB issued Amendments to IAS 1 `Presentation of
Financial Statements' - A Revised Presentation, which requires separate
presentation of owner and non-owner changes in equity by introducing the
statement of comprehensive income. The statement of recognised income and
expense will no longer be presented. Whenever there is a restatement or
reclassification, an additional balance sheet, as at the beginning of the
earliest period presented, will be required to be published. The revised
standard is effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009
and the Group has adopted it from that date. There is no effect on the Group's
reported income or net assets. IAS 1 Revised has been adopted by the EU.

Other standards and interpretations adopted in the year had no significant
impact on these group financial statements.


3. (LOSS) / EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing profit for the
period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.

Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing profit for the
period attributable to ordinary equity holders of the parent by the weighted
average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, plus the
weighted average number of shares that would be issued on the conversion of
dilutive potential ordinary shares into ordinary shares. The calculation of the
dilutive potential ordinary shares related to employee and director share
option plans includes only those warrants with exercise prices below the
average share trading price for each period.

                                                             2009          2008
                                                            €'000         €'000
                                                                               
Net (loss) / profit attributable to equity                (2,151)         9,914
holders used in basic calculation                                              
                                                                               
Net (loss) / profit attributable to equity                (2,151)         9,914
holders used in dilutive calculation                                           
                                                                               
                                                           Number        Number
                                                             `000          `000
                                                                               
Basic weighted average number of                           75,184        70,538
shares                                                                         
                                                                               
Dilutive potential of                                                          
ordinary shares:                                                               
                                                                               
Warrants exercisable under                                      -         2,963
Company schemes                                                                
                                                                               
Diluted weighted average number                            75,184        73,501
of shares                                                                      

The calculation of the diluted EPS assumes all criteria giving rise to the
dilution of the EPS are achieved.


4. INTANGIBLE EXPLORATION AND EVALUATION ASSETS

Intangible assets consist of the Group's exploration projects which are pending
determination of technical feasibility and commercial viability of extracting a
mineral resource.

                                                                                
                                 United                                         
                                Kingdom    Italy Netherlands Other EU      Total
                                  €'000    €'000       €'000    €'000      €'000
                                                                                
Cost:                                                                           
                                                                                
At 1 January 2009                 3,940    2,617       5,805      173     12,535
                                                                                
Additions                           279    4,751       7,948        -     12,978
                                                                                
Acquisition through business          -    2,374           -        -      2,374
combination                                                                     
                                                                                
Transfers                          (24)        -           -       24          -
                                                                                
Exchange movement                   284    (113)           -      (9)        162
                                                                                
At 31 December 2009               4,479    9,629      13,753      188     28,049
                                                                                
                                                                                
Exploration expenditure                                                         
written off:                                                                    
                                                                                
At 1 January 2009                    39        -          99       28        166
                                                                                
Exchange movement                     3        -           -        -          3
                                                                                
At 31 December 2009                  42        -          99       28        169
                                                                                
                                                                                
Net book value:                                                                 
                                                                                
At 31 December 2009               4,437    9,629      13,654      160     27,880


5. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

 a. Oil and Gas Assets
   

    
                          Oil           Oil   Oil and         Oil          Oil       
                      and Gas       and Gas       Gas     and Gas      and Gas       
                       Assets        Assets    Assets      Assets       Assets       
                (Netherlands) (Netherlands)    (UK) -      (UK) -     (Italy)-  Total
                  - Developed - Undeveloped Developed Undeveloped  Undeveloped       
                        €'000         €'000     €'000       €'000        €'000  €'000
                                                                                     
Cost:                                                                                
                                                                                     
At 1 January            7,458         8,970       234         688          335 17,685
2009                                                                                 
                                                                                     
Additions               2,571        15,854         2         541          200 19,168
                                                                                     
Acquisition                                                                          
through                     -             -         -           -       15,844 15,844
business                                                                             
combination                                                                          
                                                                                     
Transfers              12,014      (12,014)       501       (501)            -      -
                                                                                     
Exchange                    -             -         8          50         (27)     31
movement                                                                             
                                                                                     
At 31 December         22,043        12,810       745         778       16,352 52,728
2009                                                                                 
                                                                                     
Depletion and                                                                        
amortisation:                                                                        
                                                                                     
At 1 January            5,562             -       110           -            -  5,672
2009                                                                                 
                                                                                     
Charge for the          1,173             -        62           -            -  1,235
year                                                                                 
                                                                                     
Impairment loss             -             -       290           -            -    290
                                                                                     
Exchange                    -             -         4           -            -      4
movement                                                                             
                                                                                     
At 31 December          6,735             -       466           -            -  7,201
2009                                                                                 
                                                                                     
                                                                                     
Net book value:                                                                      
                                                                                     
At 31 December         15,308        12,810       279         778       16,352 45,527
2009                                                                                 

                                                                                    
                                                                                         
Net book value:                                                                          
                                                                                         
At 31 December         15,308        12,810       279         778       16,352 45,527  
2009                                                                                     

 b. Non Oil and Gas Assets
   
                                                          Computer             
                                            Leasehold   and Office        Total
                                         improvements    equipment             
                                                €'000        €'000        €'000
                                                                               
Cost:                                                                          
                                                                               
At 1 January 2009                                 303          537          840
                                                                               
Additions                                           -           64           64
                                                                               
At 31 December 2009                               303          601          904
                                                                               
Depreciation:                                                                  
                                                                               
At 1 January 2009                                 102          253          355
                                                                               
Charge for the year                                76          105          181
                                                                               
At 31 December 2009                               178          358          536
                                                                               
Net book value:                                                                
                                                                               
At 31 December 2009                               125          243          368


6. TRADE AND OTHER RECEIVABLES

                                                              2009         2008
                                                             €'000        €'000
                                                                               
Non-current assets                                                             
                                                                               
Other receivables                                                -        3,720
                                                                               
Loans                                                          118        1,893
                                                                               
                                                               118        5,613
                                                                               
Current assets                                                                 
                                                                               
Trade receivables                                            1,590        3,609
                                                                               
Other receivables                                            4,208        4,539
                                                                               
Corporation tax                                                144            -
                                                                               
VAT recoverable                                              3,530          576
                                                                               
Prepayments and accrued income                               4,904       12,525
                                                                               
Total trade and other                                       14,494       26,862
receivables                                                                    

€4,000,000 included in other receivables represents the final instalment of the
Strategic Alliance fee from Dyas B.V. ("Dyas") which fell due and was settled
in April 2010. A loan of $200,000 (€139,000 net of fair value discount of €
21,000, (2008: €110,000 net of fair value discount of €34,000) has been made to
Northpet Investments Limited to be used to fund drilling expenditure incurred
on the Guyane licence. In addition, the prior year loans balance included an
amount of €1,783,000 representing the discounted value of a loan to ATI Oil
Plc. Control of ATI Oil Plc was acquired by the Group during 2009.


7. SHARE CAPITAL

                                                              2009         2008
                                                             €'000        €'000
                                                                               
Authorised:                                                                    
                                                                               
311,316,404 (2008:311,316,404) ordinary shares of 5p        19,648       19,648
each                                                                           
                                                                               
Allotted, issued, called up and fully paid:                                    
                                                                               
78,987,248 (2008:71,142,059) ordinary shares of 5p           4,983        4,488
each                                                                           
                                                                               

The ordinary shares above all hold the same voting rights and there are no
restrictions on the distribution of dividends.

Cancellation of share premium

On 30 June 2009 the Company delivered to Companies House the Order of Court
following The High Court of Justice, Chancery Division having confirmed the
cancellation of the amount standing to the credit of the share premium account
of the Company as at 31 December 2007, being £18.923 million (€23.885 million).
The Order of Court was registered by Companies House on 8 July 2009 (the
"Effective Date"). The creditors of the Company as at the Effective Date are
protected by the transfer of the applicable balance to the Company's
un-distributable special reserve. This reserve will be reduced, and the
applicable balances transferred to the Company's distributable special reserve,
upon settlement of those creditors, and this will have the effect of
significantly increasing the Company's distributable reserves going forward.


8. ATI OIL PLC ACQUISITION

On 24 June 2009 the Company acquired control of all of the ordinary share
capital of ATI Oil Plc ("ATI") that the Group did not already own. A total of
7,698,267 new Northern shares were issued fully paid at 120p per share, being
the closing market price on 23 June 2009, to ATI shareholders and warrant
holders, with trading in the new Northern shares commencing on 25 June 2009.

The notional "share premium" on the shares issued in consideration for the
takeover of ATI Oil Plc, evaluated at the issue price less the nominal value of
those shares issued has been credited to the merger reserve.

The acquisition of ATI increased oil reserves by 26.58 million barrels and
brought fuller control of the Group's position in Italy where ATI held a 50%
economic interest in most of the licences operated by Northern.

Due to the inherently uncertain nature of the oil and gas industry, and
exploration and evaluation assets in particular, the assumptions underlying the
assigned values below are significantly judgemental in nature. The acquisition
consideration below is considered equal to the aggregate of the fair values of
the assets and liabilities acquired, with fair value adjustments recorded as
deemed appropriate. Deferred tax has been recognised, where applicable, in
respect of any fair value adjustments made.

Effect of the acquisition:

Consideration:

                                                                        24 June
                                                                           2009
                                                                          €'000
                                                                               
Ordinary shares                                                          10,776
                                                                               
Replacement share based payment awards - value of                           302
past service                                                                   
                                                                               
                                                                         11,078
                                                                               
Acquisition costs                                                           745
                                                                               
                                                                         11,823

Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:

                                                  24 June     24 June     24 June
                                                     2009        2009        2009
                                          Pre-acquisition        Fair  Recognised
                                                 carrying       value   values on
                                                   amount adjustments acquisition
                                                    €'000       €'000       €'000
                                                                                 
Intangible assets                                   2,374           -       2,374
                                                                                 
Property, plant and equipment - oil                   559      15,285      15,844
& gas assets                                                                     
                                                                                 
Trade and other receivables                           261           -         261
                                                                                 
Cash and cash equivalents                              18           -          18
                                                                                 
Trade and other payables                          (1,008)           -     (1,008)
                                                                                 
Loans (ATI - Northern loan)                       (2,333)           -     (2,333)
                                                                                 
                                                    (129)      15,285      15,156
                                                                                 
Deferred tax liability                                  -     (3,333)     (3,333)
                                                                                 
                                                    (129)      11,952      11,823

The uplift on acquisition of "Property, plant and equipment - oil & gas assets"
of €15.285 million equates to a fair value of €0.60 per barrel of probable oil
reserves. The Directors consider that this was, and remains, an appropriate
valuation given the early stages of development of the Rovesti and Giove
fields.

No goodwill has been recognised as result of the acquisition.

The Group incurred acquisition related costs of €745,000 relating to
professional advisors' fees and fees directly related to the scheme of
arrangement under which ATI was acquired. These fees have been included in the
cost of the acquisition.

The revenue and expenses incurred from this operation since the date of
acquisition (24 June 2009) were €Nil and €226,000 respectively. Of the €226,000
expenses, €200,000 relates to payments in respect of termination of contracts
made to non continuing ATI Directors. Cash outflow from the operation post
acquisition was €26,000. If the acquisition had occurred on 1 January 2009,
management estimates that consolidated revenue would have been unchanged and
the consolidated loss for the year would have been €106,000 greater.

The terms of the acquisition agreement required the Group to exchange ATI
warrants (the acquiree's awards) for Northern warrants (the replacement
awards). Details of the acquiree's awards and replacement awards are as
follows:

                                          Acquiree's award   Replacement  
                                                               awards     
                                                                          
Terms and conditions                        Fully vested    Fully vested  
                                                                          
Market-based measure at acquisition date      €302,000        €302,000    

The Group has included €302,000 as consideration transferred related to the
fair value of the replacement awards.


9. APPROVAL BY DIRECTORS

The results for the year ended 31 December 2009 were approved by the Directors
on 7 June 2009.


10. ANNUAL REPORT AND ACCOUNTS

The Annual Report and Accounts will today be made available in electronic
format on the Company's website, www.northpet.com, and will shortly be posted
to shareholders. Following posting, the Annual Report will also be available
free of charge for a period of not less than one month by application to the
Company Secretary at the Company's registered office being Martin House, 5
Martin Lane, London, EC4R 0DP.





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