Quarterly Report 31 March 2016

OVERVIEW

While the Indian energy market remains relatively strong, protracted low oil and gas prices have impacted Oilex's Indian operations.  A cost cutting initiative has been undertaken in both the Perth and Indian offices and in field activities resulting in the reduction of personnel and reduced work activity.  Our JV partner, GSPC, continues to be in arrears in paying cash calls and in delaying approvals for budgets and work programmes.  GSPC's larger financial problems have recently been the subject of a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General of India and reported in the Indian press.  As a result, Oilex has prepared a reduced budget for the Cambay Field for the Indian financial year starting 1 April 2016.  The associated work programme concentrates primarily on maintenance of the asset.  The option to drill a well would require a budget revision later in the year. 

The project retains its strong fundamentals centred around the proven rich petroleum system of the Cambay Basin and the multiple wells that have intersected and produced hydrocarbons.  Multiple targets are present at stacked stratigraphic levels and commercial success requires the further refining of proven technologies focussed around long horizontal well sections, and the application of optimal drilling and completions technology.   

India's ongoing requirement for gas resources provides the opportunity to displace imported LNG with domestic production, particularly from a new generation of unconventional projects such as the Cambay Project.  While the excess of demand over supply is clear, each sale contract needs to take into account any local constraints in accessing both buyers and infrastructure.

A technical review of the EP IV (Y Zone) potential is currently underway, incorporating the results of the Cambay-77H well, and all associated geological and engineering data.  It had been previously identified that new core samples are required to complete the evaluation of the susceptibility of the rock to reservoir stimulation through induced fracturing.  Oilex is now broadening the approach to include available drill cuttings and existing core in adjoining blocks.  The Oilex technical team is also reviewing alternative, potentially lower cost, completion technologies.

Following current production data from Cambay-77H, and as a consequence of current depressed oil and gas prices, a revised resource and reserves estimate will be undertaken in respect of the Cambay Field.

HEALTH, SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENT

No lost time incidents recorded during the quarter.

CAMBAY FIELD, GUJARAT, INDIA

(Oilex: Operator and 45% interest)

The main production during the quarter occurred from Cambay-77H.  The well averaged production of 248,870 scfd, 43 boepd (Oilex net 111,992 scfd, 19 boepd) with an average associated condensate rate of 11 bopd (Oilex net 5 bopd) under Government of India (GoI) approval to produce test gas.  A phased field development plan is being prepared to gain approval for continued production and to bring Cambay-73 well back on line at an anticipated gas rate of 80,000 scfd, 14 boepd (Oilex net 36,000 scfd, 6 boepd) with an associated condensate rate of 3 bopd (Oilex net 1.4 bopd). 

Additional oil production occurred from nine intermittent low rate wells.  Five of these will be shut in as they no longer produce economically.

Cambay gas continues to be sold into the low pressure gas market in the vicinity of the field. 

BHANDUT FIELD, GUJARAT, INDIA

(Oilex: Operator and 40% interest)

Gas production from the Bhandut Field commenced after the end of the quarter at a stabilised rate of 700,000 scfd, 120 boepd (Oilex net 280,000 scfd, 48 boepd) from one well.  Gas produced from Bhandut-3 is initially processed at the on-site production facilities and then delivered to a third party operated gas processing plant where it is further treated to the required pipeline specification.  It is subsequently compressed for entry into the high pressure gas network for delivery to an end user.  All environmental clearances for the commencement of gas production have been obtained from the relevant authorities.

A field development plan is being prepared to gain approval to continue production after September 2016.

 Figure 1:Bhandut Facility

 Figure2: Map Showing Bhandut location and surrounding peipelines  

Joint Venture Management

Oilex continues to engage with its joint venture partner GSPC to resolve the unpaid cash calls and to obtain a commitment from GSPC to participate in future activities or to find an alternative solution.  At the end of the quarter, the total unpaid cash calls were ~$US7.4 million.  Adjustments have been made to the JV receivable balance for reduced head office recharges, insurance claim adjustment and reversal of accrued costs no longer required.  Two payments were received following the end of the quarter from GSPC totalling ~A$275,000, of which A$120,000 was for Cambay, and A$155,000 for Bhandut.  Oilex continues to manage payment of JV creditors under a staged plan.

Negotiations on a budget acceptable to the JV partner have been ongoing.  Oilex has prepared a reduced budget for the Cambay Project for the Indian financial year starting 1 April 2016.  The associated work programme concentrates primarily on maintenance of the asset.  Any wells drilled within the year will require the submission of a budget revision and approvals by the JV partner and the GoI.

The Cambay Production Sharing Contract (PSC) primary term expires in September 2019, and the JV has the possibility of applying for two five year extensions, such that the PSC could be extended to 2029, subject to a field development plan being submitted.  The GoI has recently issued a policy proposal to extend the term of 28 small and medium sized fields, which includes the Cambay Field, to the economic life of the field.  The GoI proposal is anticipated to be finalised in 2016.

The JV Partner has approved the Work Programme & Budget (WP&B) for the Bhandut Field for the Indian financial year starting 1 April 2016.  JV Partner approval of the WP&B for Cambay Field for the same period has not yet been received.

WALLAL GRABEN, WESTERN AUSTRALIA (CANNING BASIN)

(Oilex: Operator and 100% interest) 

The Wallal Graben asset is located adjacent to the Pilbara, a global resource centre for iron ore and LNG in Western Australia.  The Company has a low cost entry into a province with the key determinates for successful development, being:

·     Markets

·     Infrastructure

·     Geology

·     Suitable Joint Venture funding support

 

 Figure 3: Significant infrastructure within and adjacent to OIlex's Wallal Graben permits

The Wallal Graben blocks are frontier exploration blocks that represent a potential low cost entry to an underexplored area.  Oilex continues to investigate low cost exploration de-risking tools and approaches that address the geological uncertainties in this basin.

Final award of the blocks requires signing of Heritage Agreements with the Nyangumarta people in the two northern blocks and is linked to a request to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) that all three blocks be awarded simultaneously.  Consultations on the Heritage Agreements for all blocks are ongoing.  Subsequent to finalising Heritage Agreements with the Native Title parties, the DMP will make an offer to grant a Petroleum Exploration Permit for each of the three blocks to the Company for acceptance.

JPDA 06-103, TIMOR SEA           

(Oilex: Operator and 10% interest)

Oilex as operator and on behalf of the joint venture participants continues to seek a resolution to the dispute with Autoridade Nacional do Petroleo (ANP).  The ANP has rejected a Joint Venture request to terminate the PSC by mutual agreement, in good standing and without penalty and is seeking to impose a penalty US$13,585,790 (net US$1.4m to OEX) as full and final settlement.  The Joint Venture rejected this offer on the basis that it considers a nil penalty should be imposed, and a much lower settlement figure is applicable.  The Joint Venture has made significant overpayments in the work programme, and is of the opinion that the excess expenditure should be included as part of any financial assessment incorporated in the termination process.  The Joint Venture continues to discuss the financial liability upon termination with the ANP and is attempting to reach an amicable settlement.

WEST KAMPAR PSC, CENTRAL SUMATRA, INDONESIA 

(Oilex: 45% interest and further 22.5% secured²)

A Court approved Scheme of Arrangement has been implemented over the Operator, however Oilex continues to pursue enforcement of the Arbitration Award and a commercial settlement.

CORPORATE

At the end of the quarter the Company retained cash resources of $8.1 million.

During the quarter the Company continued to implement cost reductions to reduce ongoing operating costs by ~47% per annum in India and ~23% per annum on its overhead and corporate costs. Cost reduction initiatives being implemented include:

·     ~ 45% reduction in headcount in India

·     ~ 25% reduction in headcount in Perth

·     10% reduction in salaries and wages for remaining personnel across both India and Australia

·     10% reduction in directors' fees as at 31 January 2016

·     Reduced travel and other corporate costs

Cost savings implemented in the quarter were partially offset by redundancy costs incurred.  In addition, significant legal fees continue to be incurred with respect to Zeta legal action.

Zeta Litigation

The Company continues to seek resolution to legal action instituted in the Federal Court of Australia by Zeta on or about 12 November 2015 against the Company.  On 16 December 2015 the Company filed its defence in the Federal Court against proceedings initiated by Zeta.  The Company has also filed a cross-claim against Zeta seeking orders of specific performance requiring Zeta to perform its obligations and complete the relevant share subscription and convertible note agreements (or otherwise pay damages to the Company).

The parties had agreed to a standstill on legal action until 1 March 2016 to explore a possible commercial resolution.  A resolution was unable to be agreed by that date, and as a result, Zeta filed and served its reply and defence to Oilex's cross claim on 29 March 2016.  The parties are continuing discussions in an effort to find a commercial resolution.

The Company has incurred significant legal fees during the quarter as a result of this litigation which is reflected in the administration cash outflows reported in the Appendix 5B attached.

Board Composition

On 11 February 2016 the Company announced the appointment of Mr Brad Lingo as an independent non-executive director.  Mr Lingo has over 30 years' experience in a diverse range of oil and gas leadership roles, including business development, new ventures, mergers and acquisitions and corporate finance.

On 18 March 2016 the Company announced the appointment of Jonathan (Joe) Salomon, who at that time was an independent non-executive director, as the new Managing Director of the Company following the resignation of Mr Ron Miller.

Capital Structure as at 31 March 2016
Ordinary Shares	1,180,426,999
Unlisted Options	21,150,000

 

Qualified Petroleum Reserves and Resources Evaluator Statement

Pursuant to the requirements of Chapter 5 of the ASX Listing Rules, the information in this report relating to petroleum reserves and resources is based on and fairly represents information and supporting documentation prepared by or under the supervision of Mr. Peter Bekkers, Chief Geoscientist employed by Oilex Ltd. Mr. Bekkers has over 20 years' experience in petroleum geology and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers and AAPG. Mr. Bekkers meets the requirements of a qualified petroleum reserve and resource evaluator under Chapter 5 of the ASX Listing Rules and consents to the inclusion of this information in this report in the form and context in which it appears. Mr. Bekkers also meets the requirements of a qualified person under the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies and consents to the inclusion of this information in this report in the form and context in which it appears.