Zenith Energy Disappointed as Olive Energy E&P Awarded a Licence to Operate the Tilapia oilfield

Zenith Energy says it has now become aware that a company named Olive Energy E&P has been awarded a licence to operate the Tilapia oilfield adding it is disappointed by this development.

Zenith Energy that had previously announced the successful completion of an Inquiry of Public Utility (Enquête d’Utilité Publique) (IPU), involving an in-depth technical and financial review of the Company performed by the Ministry of Hydrocarbons of the Republic of the Congo, on February 10, 2021.

The purpose of the IPU was, in accordance with local law, to determine Zenith’s suitability for the award of a new 25-year licence to operate the Tilapia oilfield following confirmation, announced by the Company on December 23, 2020, regarding the successful bid submitted by Zenith Energy Congo SA  for the award of a new 25-year licence to operate the Tilapia oilfield.

The Company announces that it has engaged a legal representative to negotiate the full repayment of an original principal amount of US$5.3 million plus accrued interest owed by Société Nationale des Pétroles du Congo (SNPC), the national oil company of the Republic of the Congo, to Anglo African Oil & Gas Congo S.A.U (AAOGC), a fully owned subsidiary of the Company, for past work performed during the Tilapia I licence.

Legal Claim against SMP for approx. US$9 million  

Zenith confirms that the legal claim launched by AAOGC against Société de Maintenance Pétrolière (SMP), the rig contractor employed to perform drilling services in wells TLP-103 and TLP-103C of the Tilapia oilfield during 2018-2019, is progressing in the Paris Commercial Court (the “Claim“).

The Company has increased the claimed amount for the performance failures by SMP during drilling activities to US$9 million in consideration of the significant commercial damages suffered by AAOGC, specifically the impossibility to begin production activities, as a direct result.

Zenith has not provided for the potential recovery of such costs in its cashflow projections. Therefore, any success in this matter would enhance the Company’s cash position.

Luca Benedetto, Chief Financial Officer of Zenith, commented:

“This represents disappointing news. However, the Company’s opportunity to recover an amount of approximately US$15 million due to past activities in connection with the Republic of the Congo remains unchanged.

This will now become our primary focus, whilst we continue to work towards completing our acquisitions in other jurisdictions for large, revenue-generating energy production and development assets with transformational potential.”