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equator exp (EEL)     

Jon (MoneyAM) - 02 Jun 2005 16:06

announcments are due soon, stock price moving should hit 1.80 easily, very interesting story with new field linked in with an indian oil company joint venture and I understand good results from one area, looks great

rodspotty - 06 Jul 2009 10:01 - 366 of 370

Not quite dead yet.......

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 6 July 2009
FOR: EQUATOR EXPLORATION LIMITED
SUBJECT: Shareholder Update

London, 6 July 2009 Equator Exploration Limited (The Company or Equator)
wishes to update shareholders on recent events.

OPL321 and OPL323

The awards of the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for OPL 321 and OPL 323,
in which Equator has a 30 per cent share, have been the subject of a number of
inquiries culminating, in January 2009, with the voiding of the award to the operator,
the Korean National Oil Corporation (KNOC). The voiding of the award is now the
subject of a High Court hearing in Nigeria with KNOC as the plaintiff seeking
restitution of its interests in the blocks. There have been a number of sessions at the
High Court but as yet there has not been any conclusion to the case. An interim
injunction prevents an award of the blocks to the ONGC consortium, which includes
Equator, while the current High Court hearing continues. The next hearing is
scheduled for 8 July 2009.

Despite the uncertainty in the eventual judgement of the hearing, the Company has
confidence that the value of its investment of US$180 million in the two blocks will be
preserved. Whether the blocks are taken over by the ONGC consortium or kept by
KNOC, the farm out of a 20% interest in OPL 323 to BG could still be completed. If
neither of these happens, the Company is entitled to receive a refund of the signature
bonuses. However, the timing of any such outcome remains unpredictable.

JDZ Block 2

On JDZ Block 2, a cost-effective option has become available for the drilling of the
Bomu-1 exploration well in 3Q 2009, enabling the one well obligation of the Phase 1
Exploration Period of the PSC to be fulfilled on time. If the option is taken, significant
funding will immediately be required for the Companys share of the cost of the well.

Financial Position

The Company has debt from loans and unpaid interest, which has grown to more than
US$100 million, drawn down mostly to fund the aborted development of the Bilabri
Field. During the period from January 2008 until May 2009 borrowings increased by
only US$6.3 million as the Company reduced costs and continued to maintain its
interests in the exploration assets by paying cash calls of US$3.4mm.


NEWS RELEASE
The Board has been evaluating ways of ensuring that the Companys assets are not
lost and value is retained for shareholders, lenders and suppliers. The current
absence of availability of funds from the capital markets for exploration companies
with no production, compounded with the Companys de-listing from AIM and the high
debt, has made it impossible to raise funds through traditional routes.

The Company is in the process of finalising a complex financing which will, when
completed, extend the maturity of debt and provide some interim funding to ward off
immediate pressure from creditors. It is intended that the arrangement will also
provide an opportunity for additional funding in the future.

Further details will be announced as soon as possible.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rodders

kkeith2000 - 10 Jul 2009 09:55 - 367 of 370

London, 9 July 2009 Equator Exploration Limited (The Company or Equator) hereby announces that it has concluded an interim financing with Vicuna Holdings Limited (the Lender), a private investment company, which will help to secure the Company and its assets. As indicated in the News Release on 6 July 2009, Equator has been in a very difficult situation for the past two years. The uncertainties surrounding OPL321 and OPL323 and the burden of debt have made financing for the drilling in JDZ Block 2 and for the acquisition of our option blocks in the Exclusive Economic Zone of S Tome Prcipe extremely difficult. Over the past two years, the Board has worked tirelessly on evaluating ways of ensuring that the Company does not lose all of its assets because of lack of funding and leave the creditors and shareholders with nothing. The capital markets, for pure exploration companies, have remained at rock-bottom during the past year. The loss of the listing on AIM, which was a direct consequence of the uncertainty surrounding the value of the interests in OPL321 and OPL323, combined with the existing high debt has made it impossible to raise funds in the current environment through traditional routes. Procuring immediate funding and securing the ability to continue to pay cash calls on the Companys major assets have been the main drivers for the interim financing. The Board is in agreement that this transaction is in the best interests of all stakeholders. Features of Financing Structure The financing involves the advance of up to US$17.55 million by the Lender, secured on certain of the Groups assets. - The advances are repayable by 31 December 2009 and are convertible at the lenders option in whole or in part into shares at 5 US cents per share; - The lender has the right to appoint two additional directors to the board of the Company;- Advances bear interest at 8 per cent per annum; and- Completion was subject to finalising settlement agreements with certain creditors which has utilized US$12.55 million of the total facility amount. In associated arrangements, other lenders have agreed to the extension of their existing loans totaling US$110 million, including unpaid interest, as follows: - US$88 million plus interest to 31 December 2009 at 8% interest- US$5.6 million plus interest to 30 September 2009 at 18% interest In consideration for these extensions and variation to the interest rates, these loans have become convertible into ordinary shares in the Company also at the price of 5 US cents per share. Drawings and Conversion The Company has to date drawn in total $5.02 million under the new facility; According to the terms of the financing, a total of approximately US$4 million was committed to payments under creditor settlements and payment for overdue cash calls. The lender has exercised its right to convert the advances into shares in the Company at a conversion price of 5 cents per share. The Company will therefore issue 100,450,340 new Common Shares of no par value ranking pari passu with existing shares, representing approximately 34.9% of the enlarged issued share capital. Summary Equator is pleased to have secured these financing arrangements as they: - secure working capital at a time when capital markets are very difficult for pure exploration companies;- avoid being put into liquidation by large creditors;- provide security for the cost of exploration well Bomu-1 on JDZ Block 2 which could spud in July/August 2009;- provide time to maintain the Companys interests in its deep water assets irrespective of whether there is to be a cash refund or a continued allocation in each PSC; and- provide a way to ensure that value is secured for projects that had drained significant value from the Company. Enquiries: Equator +44 (0)207 235 2555Philip Rand CEO/CFO Philip Dimmock COO

moneyplus - 10 Jul 2009 10:28 - 368 of 370

well Philip Rand could have walked away so despite the dilution at least we're still alive and can hope to eventually get our money back---or even some rewards!!

cynic - 10 Jul 2009 10:33 - 369 of 370

EEL is well chosen

kkeith2000 - 12 Aug 2009 14:47 - 370 of 370

Equator Exploration Limited - Announcement of Update on Financing, Share Issue & Board Changes‏

London, 12 August 2009 Equator Exploration Limited (The Company or Equator) hereby provides an update on financing activities, share transactions and changes to the Board of Directors. Financing and Share Activities On 9 July 2009, the Company announced that it had entered into financing arrangements with Vicuna Holdings Limited (Vicuna) to provide up to US$ 17.55 million in loans. In addition to the terms described then, it can additionally be announced that: - The financing facility between Equator and Vicuna was assignable to Oando Plc (Oando), a vertically-integrated oil and gas company listed in Nigeria and South Africa; and - As a condition of the extension to the term of the US$ 65 million secured bridge facility, the lenders have been granted a right, yet to be exercised, to appoint two additional directors to the Board of Equator. Since the execution of the financing agreement with Vicuna, the following has occurred: - The Company has drawn down US$ 2.2 million, in order to pay outstanding cash calls for JDZ Block 2 and to provide working capital.- It has also drawn down US$ 2.82 million which it has paid to major creditors as part of agreed settlements. - Oando has declared that it has purchased 53,444,578 common shares in Equator.- Vicuna has assigned all of its rights and obligations in the financing arrangements to Oando, including the 100,450,369 common shares it gained from conversion of loans made to date into shares. - As a result, there are now 287,941,930 shares in issue, of which 153,894,918, or 53.45%, will be owned by Oando.- Oando has provided a corporate guarantee of US$ 5.4 million as adequate security, required under the joint operating agreement, for Equators share of the costs of the planned JDZ Bomu-1 well in Block 2.- Oando has provided a second corporate guarantee of US$ 2.8 million to secure replacement performance bonds required by the Joint Development Authority for Equators share of the minimum commitment work programme for Block 2. This will release US$ 2.8 million held as collateral for the current performance bonds. Oando is willing to purchase further shares from shareholders who are interested in selling. They are advised to contact Fox-Davies Capital Limited, who are acting for Oando. Changes to the Board of Directors The Company announces the resignation from the Board of Philip Rand and Ted Giletti. Philip Rand has also resigned from the combined position of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. The Board would like to thank Philip and Ted for the contribution that they have made to the Company. Philip Rand has agreed to remain with the Company in an advisory capacity for a period of time. Enquiries: EquatorPhilip Dimmock+44 (0)207 297 42921st Floor50 Curzon StreetLondon W1J 7UW Additional information regarding the Company can be obtained from the Company's website. The Company's website can be accessed at www.equatorexploration.com.
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