Proactive Investors - Shares in IOG PLC (LON:IOG) tanked 41% to 1.00p after saying its “financial position remains challenging” after a fall in the gas rate from its Blythe H2 well in the North Sea.
The H2 gate rate declined from 27.7 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscf/d) to 21.2 mmscf/d over August, while average realised gas prices fell to 85.1p per therm from 107.5 p/therm a year ago.
Looking to boost production, the company said it is planning for a Blythe H1 production trial “to assess a sustainable gas rate and associated water rate”.
IOG, which last month agreed a deferral until 29 September with holders of its €100 million senior secured bond for interest payments and other technical potential default events, said it had a cash balance at 31 August of £14.5 million, £7.3 million of which is restricted.
Chief executive Rupert Newall noted that the Blythe H2 well saw 97% operating efficiency and the Bacton shutdown works were successfully completed early in the month.
“However, with H2 production seeing natural decline and realised day-ahead gas prices remaining far below last year's levels, the company's financial position remains challenging.”
He said the company continues “to engage actively with bondholders and their advisors on this under the current waiver to 29 September and will update on further progress as appropriate”.
In a further blow, the company was informed by the North Sea Transition Authority that it is not likely to extend the unconventional Nailsworth licences, which Newall said it is also likely to impact the commerciality of the Elland field.