Business
Savannah Signs Agreements to Acquire Interest in Stubb Creek Field, Nigeria
Savannah Signs Agreements to Acquire Interest in Stubb Creek Field, Nigeria
Savannah Energy PLC, the British independent energy company focused around the delivery of Projects that Matter, announces that it has signed separate Share Purchase Agreements (“SPAs”) with Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation (“SIPC”) and Jagal Ventures Limited (“Jagal”) to acquire 100% of the outstanding share capital of Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Nigeria Limited (“SIPEC”) (the “SIPEC Acquisition”).
Savannah also announces that it has today published an updated Competent Persons Report (“CPR”), compiled by CGG Services (UK) Ltd, covering its assets in Nigeria.
SIPEC Acquisition
SIPEC’s principal asset is a 49% non-operated interest in the Stubb Creek oil and gas field (“Stubb Creek”), located in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. An affiliate of Savannah, Universal Energy Resources Limited, is the 51% owner and operator.
The SIPC SPA will see Savannah Energy SC Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of Savannah) acquire a 75% equity interest in SIPEC for cash consideration of US$52 million, payable on completion and subject to customary adjustments for a transaction of this nature from 1 September 2023. The Jagal SPA will see Savannah Energy SC Limited acquire a 25% equity interest in SIPEC for cash consideration of US$7.5 million (without adjustment), payable on completion, plus US$2 million in deferred cash consideration payable in eight equal quarterly instalments post-completion. The transaction consideration is expected to be funded through a new bank debt facility arranged by The Standard Bank of South Africa Limited and the existing cash resources of the Company. Completion under each of the SPAs is subject to the parties’ satisfaction of customary conditions precedent, including certain regulatory approvals, as well as a mechanism ensuring that completion under both SPAs occurs simultaneously.
As at year end 2023, SIPEC had an estimated 8.1 MMstb of 2P oil reserves and 227 Bscf of 2C Contingent gas resources. SIPEC oil production is estimated at an average for 2024 of 1.4 Kbopd. Savannah’s Reserve and Resource base will increase by approximately 46 MMboe following completion of the SIPEC Acquisition.
It is anticipated that, within 12 months following completion of the SIPEC Acquisition, Stubb Creek gross production should increase by approximately 2.7 Kbopd to approximately 4.7 Kbopd through implementation of a de-bottlenecking programme.
The SIPEC Acquisition will secure significant additional feedstock gas available for sale to Savannah’s 80% owned Nigerian gas processing and distribution subsidiary, Accugas Limited (“Accugas”). At present, Accugas has eight principal gas customers, including large thermal power stations, such as Calabar Generation Company Limited, as well as key industrial players, such as Lafarge Africa PLC and the Central Horizon Gas Company Limited. With a weighted average remaining contract life of 14 years, Savannah’s natural gas supplies are a critical enabler of the Nigerian economy and currently support approximately 20% of Nigeria’s thermal power generation.
Since Savannah announced its intention to acquire Accugas in late 2017: (i) volumes of gas transported; (ii) the number of significant customers served; and (iii) the Company’s contribution to thermal power generation in Nigeria have each more than doubled.
The following information in relation to the SIPEC Acquisition is included in accordance with the disclosure requirements of Schedule Four to the AIM Rules for Companies:
For the financial year ended 31 December 2022, SIPEC audited accounts show income after tax of US$27.8 million (excluding exceptional income of US$42.3 million) and total assets of US$136.5 million.
Andrew Knott, CEO, Savannah Energy, said:
“Savannah remains committed to growing our core business in Nigeria through a combination of both value accretive acquisitions and organic projects. This is reflected in this morning’s announcement of the SIPEC Acquisition. The base case acquisition has been priced in line with our expected returns criteria, with the identified upside cases (the oil de-bottlenecking and new gas sales to Accugas projects) hoped to add significant value to the Stubb Creek field over time.
I would like to take the opportunity to thank the members of our team who have worked diligently on this transaction to make it happen. Thank you all.”
Nigeria CPR Summary
The Nigerian CPR has been published by CGG and is available to download on the Company’s website (Nigeria-Competent-Persons-Report-18-March-2024.pdf (wp-savannah-2020.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com). A summary of the gross reserves and contingent resources associated with the Uquo and Stubb Creek fields, in accordance with the 2018 Petroleum Resource Management System, is set out in the table below. For an explanation of the defined and technical terms in this announcement, readers should refer to the updated Nigeria CPR.
Summary of Nigeria Gross Reserves and Contingent Resources as per the Updated Nigeria CPR
*Day Two of Decentralized Intelligence 2024 V2: A Deep Dive into Blockchain, Web3, and AI
The second and final day of the Decentralized Intelligence 2024 V2, a Blockchain, Web3, and AI Summit, concluded with a workshop at the Civic Center, Victoria Island, Lagos. The two-day event, organized by the Blockchain Nigeria Users Group (BNUG) and sponsored by the Afriq Group of Companies, brought together leading minds in the tech, cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence sectors.
Day two focused on a series of in-depth workshops that provided delegates with practical knowledge and insights into blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Participants had the chance to engage directly with some of the industry’s most respected figures. Among them were Jesam Michael, CEO of Afriq Group of Companies; John Orakwe, an AI specialist; Dr. Paul Chima, a chiropractor with interests in tech and innovation; Ladi Willie, a business journalist at Channels TV; and Chimezie Chuta, Founder of BNUG and Chairman of the Nigeria Blockchain Payment Systems Council (NBPSC).
Each expert contributed to discussions that ranged from the future of blockchain in Africa to the intersection of AI and Web3 technologies. The sessions offered valuable opportunities for attendees to deepen their understanding of the rapidly evolving tech landscape, with a particular focus on the practical applications and implications of these technologies for the Nigerian market.
The Afriq Group of Companies, as the major sponsor, made a lasting impression during the summit. Jesam Michael, CEO of Afriq Group, delivered a thought-provoking speech that resonated with the audience. He began by expressing his appreciation to BNUG for creating a platform that fostered learning and collaboration within the tech community.
“I celebrate ideas,” Jesam Michael remarked, acknowledging the vision and effort behind the summit. “Let’s thank Mr. Chimezie Chuta and his team for putting up this wonderful idea, allowing crypto and tech lovers to come and learn for free. If this event had been organized by a foreign counterpart, this hall would have been overflowing with people because they support each other. Yet here in Nigeria, we find ourselves caught up in internal conflicts, cyberbullying, and character attacks.”
His address highlighted the importance of unity and support within Nigeria’s tech community, emphasizing the potential for growth if individuals could rally behind one another. Jesam Michael also underscored the role of technology in creating positive social impact, saying, “My thoughts are to see you stand tall, helping the less privileged, the widows, the aged men and women, and contributing to the economy of our country.” He reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote progress and development.
The second day concluded with an atmosphere of optimism and excitement about the future of blockchain, Web3, and AI in Nigeria. Participants left the summit with fresh insights and new connections, poised to apply what they had learned to their respective fields.
Chimezie Chuta, reflecting on the event’s success, thanked all partners, speakers, and participants for their active involvement. He emphasized that the mission of BNUG is to continue to create platforms for knowledge-sharing and collaboration, ensuring that Nigeria remains at the forefront of the digital revolution.
The Decentralized Intelligence 2024 V2 Summit not only showcased the depth of talent and expertise within the Nigerian tech community but also underscored the importance of fostering collaboration for the growth of blockchain and AI technologies. The Afriq Group of Companies’ involvement, especially, served as a testament to the power of strategic partnerships in driving the country’s digital transformation forward.
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