Annual Report • Jun 2, 2023
Annual Report
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Annual Report & Accounts 2022

Nostrum is an independent mixedasset energy company owning world-class gas processing facilities and an export hub in north-west Kazakhstan with a strong focus on ESG performance.

To unlock the value of our full potential for all our stakeholders through securing our business by working as a well-integrated team across all disciplines.

To contribute materially to the total marketable commercial gas potential and its affordability in Kazakhstan whilst moving towards a cleaner energy mix.

We are trustworthy and reliable, take our corporate, social and ecological responsibilities seriously, and are dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees.
For more details please visit www.nostrumoilandgas.com
Additional disclosures 184 Structure chart
Nostrum is a mixed-asset energy company well positioned to become a major third-party gas processor with state-of-the-art gas processing facilities and export hub, cash generative asset portfolio and mixed-asset opportunity pipeline, and strong focus on ESG performance, now governed by a new highly experienced Board of Directors.

Revenue US\$m
199.7
2021: 195.3
Production boepd

566
Employees
2021: 559
man-hours 0
2021: 0.81
EBITDA US\$m
115.7
2021: 112.5
LTIR
incidents per million
Total greenhouse gas emissions ktCO2e
Cash at year end
233.6
2021: 165.2
US\$m
170 2021: 187
Opex+G&A costs1
US\$m
43.1
2021: 43.8
We will convert our competitive advantage into value with near term catalysts, whilst nursing our balance sheet in that process."

On behalf of the Board, and for my first time as its Chair, I am pleased to present the Nostrum's 2022 Annual Results and Report.
Let me start by recognising that we have ground to make up after the Company's disappointing performance prior to our restructuring process that began in 2020. However, we have a new team, a new balance sheet in place and a new, advantaged strategy.
Undoubtedly, 2022 has been a volatile year due to a challenging macroeconomic backdrop fuelled by a combination of global post-pandemic demand recovery together with supply uncertainty, rising global inflation and the Russia-Ukraine conflict which disrupted the energy supply.
Despite being in the process of completing the debt restructuring, under Arfan's capable leadership Nostrum has navigated emerging challenges in the global economy throughout the year remarkably well. In 2022, activities aiming to preserve and increase the Company's liquidity remained a primary focus. Over US\$68m in positive cash flow was generated resulting in a US\$233.6m balance in unrestricted cash at the end of 2022. A high hydrocarbon price backdrop across all our products has been important as well as cost optimisation, which created operating leverage allowing the Company to benefit from the upward price swing. This served the Company well in offsetting the natural production decline exhibited by our mature Chinarevskoye field. We have also successfully taken action to comply with the extensive and rapidly evolving global sanctions legislation.
We are structurally addressing our cost base and building a cost-conscious culture to support our growth ambitions, improve our balance sheet, offset inflationary pressures, and thereafter gear our business to deliver operating leverage consistently
Through our continuous efforts to further optimise production along with rigorous cost controls whilst safeguarding sales netbacks and favourable oil prices, we were able to increase our cash reserves in 2022 by US\$68.3m.
US\$233.6m
2021: US\$165.2m
Following restructuring, Nostrum's annual coupon payments are reduced from US\$86m to circa US\$16m which will help optimise liquidity and allow us to focus on future growth.
US\$16m 2021: US\$86m
We believe we are now at the right place and at the right time following major changes in the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan last year as well as due to a launch of its new energy transition strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Kazakhstan's 2015-2030 General Gasification Scheme sets out the further development of the gas transportation system and gasification of the population.
Kazakhstan is a member of the WTO, has a wealth of natural reserves, robust transport and communication infrastructure and highly skilled workforce. Kazakhstan is an important player in the global economy and an attractive investment destination. Strategically, it links the fast-growing markets of China and South-East Asia to the Middle East and Western Europe, about 65 percent of the world's gross domestic product, with roads and railroads as well as with the ports of the Caspian Sea.
With the debt restructuring completion in early 2023, Nostrum has started a new chapter of its development which we call 'Nostrum 2.0'. Post restructuring, our shareholder register comprises of bluechip institutional investors, a new, highly experienced Board and we have a healthy balance sheet with unrestricted cash reserves of US\$233.6 million. We have recommenced our semi-annual cash interest payments and US\$17.5 million has already been paid to the bondholders earlier this year.

Stephen Whyte Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
Total industry experience: ~35 Years
Technical background: Geophysics

Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer
Date of appointment: 26 January 2021
Total industry experience: ~35 Years
Technical background: Petroleum Engineering

Fiona Paulus Independent Non-Executive Director
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
Total industry experience: ~37 Years
Technical background: Investment Banking

Chris Cox Independent Non-Executive Director
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
Total industry experience: ~40 Years
Technical background: Petroleum Engineering

Martin Gudgeon Non-Executive Warrant Director
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
Total industry experience: ~30 Years
Technical background: Corporate Finance

Chris Hopkinson Independent Non-Executive Director
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
Total industry experience: ~35 Years
Technical background: Petroleum Engineering
I am pleased that Nostrum has attracted new, high calibre Board members to guide the business post restructuring. I would like to welcome the new directors who joined the Board with me in February 2023: Chris Cox, Chris Hopkinson, Fiona Paulus, and Martin Gudgeon. Each of them brings significant local and global experience and expertise in driving business expansion, innovation and sustainability, which will be invaluable to Nostrum as we implement our new mixed-asset energy strategy.
The new Board has commenced the year with an early engagement with the shareholders and bondholders by arranging bilateral meetings with our largest shareholders and holding a Capital Markets Day to communicate the Company's new strategy to the investment community.
The new Board has set a new strategy to capitalise on the advantaged position of our existing infrastructure and attract third party volumes. Nostrum is already no longer a single asset company. We have secured the tie-back project with Ural Oil & Gas and we are awaiting government approvals for our recent acquisition of our second subsoil use licence, containing the Stepnoy Leopard fields. It holds between 50 mmboe and 150 mmboe of recoverable volumes with over 20% estimated to be liquids.
We believe our under-utilised, new and modern infrastructure can attract 4 bcma or more third party gas and thereby provide an accelerated processing solution at a materially lower cost than other infrastructure providers. We believe this is the best opportunity available to rapidly increase domestic supply by nearly 20%. We can make a significant contribution to Kazakhstan's long-term gasification scheme.
Mixed-Asset Energy Strategy: a new strategy to capitalise on the advantaged position of our existing infrastructure and attract third party volumes

Read more on page 11
Receiving our first rating by the ESG rating agency marks another milestone in the implementation of Nostrum's sustainability strategy.
percentile in the Oil & Gas Producers industry
In 2023, we will continue to focus on developing our assets, cost optimisation and work alongside all key stakeholders as we pivot toward renewed growth presented by our new mixed-asset energy strategy and the value creation opportunity pipeline it presents.
We will evaluate and continue to invest in both upstream and midstream opportunities where we see the right risk/ reward opportunities. This could be either by processing third party hydrocarbons in our world-class infrastructure and/or by scaling up our own production.
We have always acted with Sustainability and Safety at our core, protecting and developing our people, the environment and our licence to operate. We have however upped our game in our transparency and documenting of our ESG performance.
In 2022, Nostrum received its first ESG risk rating, which is instrumental in making the Group's progress in this area visible. The Company's ESG risk rating places it in the 34th percentile in the Oil and Gas Producers' industry as assessed by Sustainalytics. In addition, Nostrum received its first "B-" grade from the CDP Water Security Questionnaire and improved its CDP Climate Change Questionnaire score from "C" to "B-."
Looking ahead, we are committed and confident in our ability to deliver on our new mixed-asset energy strategy. We will convert our competitive advantage into value with near term catalysts, whilst nursing our balance sheet in that process.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank our investors, our employees and the Government of Kazakhstan for their ongoing commitment and support as we strive for an exciting and busy year ahead.
Chairman and Non-Executive Director
Over the past three years completing the Restructuring has been a major milestone that has now enabled the Company to pivot towards growth and maximise stakeholder returns.
On 31 March 2020, following a collapse in the global oil price, the Group announced that it would seek to engage with its bondholders regarding a possible restructuring of the Group's US\$725 million 8.0% Senior Notes due July 2022 and/or its US\$400 million 7.0% Senior Notes due February 2025.
In May 2020, the Group engaged Rothschild & Cie as financial advisers and White & Case LLP as legal advisers to assist in the restructuring of the Notes.
Nostrum entered into a forbearance agreement in October 2020, with an informal ad-hoc Committee of noteholders. Under the terms of that forbearance agreement, certain holders agreed to forbear from exercising of certain rights and remedies under the indentures governing the 2022 and 2025 notes, including an agreement not to accelerate the notes obligation as a result of the missed interest payment. In May 2021 that agreement was replaced by a second forbearance agreement, which was the same in form and substance to the first forbearance agreement. Several further extensions to the Forbearance Agreement were made during 2021.
Further key milestones in the Restructuring process are summarised below:
The Lockup Agreement was signed and shareholders voted in favour of the restructuring resolution at a General Meeting convened on 29 April 2022. The summary terms agreed by the creditors and shareholders are summarised in the table above.
| Partial reinstatement of notes |
• US\$250m Senior Secured Notes (SSN) – 5% cash coupon, interest accrues from 1 January 2022 |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| • US\$300m Senior Unsecured Notes (SUN) – 1% cash coupon, 13% payment in kind, interest accrues from 1 January 2022 |
|||
| • New notes mature on 30 June 2026 | |||
| • If not repaid in cash at maturity, the SUNs will be repayable in specie through the issuance of equity of the Company based on the value of the SUNs outstanding on the issuance date as a percentage of the fair market value of the Company (up to a maximum of 99.99% of the Company's fully diluted equity) |
|||
| Conversion to equity • Remaining notes and accrued interest converted to equity | |||
| • Existing ordinary shareholders diluted to 11.11% | |||
| • Issue of warrants to new noteholders, which may further dilute existing ordinary shareholders to 10.00%. |
|||
| Corporate | • Cash sweep mechanism to debt service retention account | ||
| Governance Arrangements |
• Transfer to Standard Listing segment of the London Stock Exchange |
||
| • Board to consist of 6 Directors (previously 5) |
The shareholders (99.99% of voting) voted for the implementation of the restructuring which meant that the restructuring continues under a UK scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006.
The Company issued a notice inviting Scheme creditors to a Scheme meeting on 21 August 2022 to acquire such new shares and warrants.

(9 February 2023)

GRI 2-6
Since its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has established itself as one of the world's most prolific hydrocarbon centres.
Throughout 2022 oil prices were highly volatile due largely to the imposition of tough sanctions against Russia and the slowdown in global economic growth. Oil prices spiked to \$100/bbl in early 2022 and exceeded \$130/bbl in the middle of 2022 before falling by about one-third from their June highs and remaining extremely volatile, closing around \$75/ bbl at the end of 2022. Conflicting supply and demand factors have increased uncertainty in oil price forecasts. Fears of a recession have intensified in both the US and Europe, which could hurt oil demand. The actions of the world's central banks, which have repeatedly hiked interest rates to fight surging inflation, along with an economic slowdown in China, have also influenced the prospects of falling demand for the commodity. OPEC+ countries unanimously agreed in 2022 to relax production output cuts introduced in 2020, but later revised the ceiling of oil production due to the slowdown in the global economy.
The rise in world oil prices has offset production decline and resulted in higher cash flow for the Company. The completion of the debt restructuring will further stabilise the Group, as will our continued focus on reducing our cost base to ensure we can maintain adequate liquidity whilst we pursue the opportunities to fill the spare capacity in our gas processing facilities.
At the end of 2022 we had cash reserves in excess of US\$233.6m (31 December 2021: US\$165.2m) excluding US\$22.8m placed into a secured cash account under the terms of the Forbearance Agreement with the informal ad-hoc noteholder group and US\$8.2 m of liquidation fund deposits, which are kept as required by the subsoil use rights for abandonment and site restoration liabilities.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict slowed post-COVID recovery for Kazakhstan's economy in 2022 but the economy benefitted from high prices for key export commodities. The GDP rate slowed to 3.3%. Inflation soared reaching an all-time high exceeding 20% YoY, mainly driven by external factors, domestic demand, and supply-chain disruptions that pushed up manufacturing costs. The Kazakhstan Tenge (KZT) depreciated by 7% in 2022 ending the year at 462.65 KZT per US\$.
The oil & gas market in Kazakhstan The foundation of Kazakhstan's oil & gas industry consists of three supergiant fields, Tengiz, Karachaganak and Kashagan, situated in the north-west of the country. Together, these fields hold the majority of the country's reserves and production and have allowed Kazakhstan to attract more foreign direct investment than any other country in the Former Soviet Union
Energy transition plan of RoK
gasification of the population.
and new production projects.
• Establish a new gas pricing model.
What it means for us
• Our vision
• Our Strategy
opportunities
expand the market.
strengthen its cleaner-energy mix:
• Increase the reliability of the gas infrastructure.
In 2022 Kazakhstan presented the Strategy (plans) to achieve carbon neutrality until 2060, which is being developed by Kazakhstan and that will become a guideline for energy transition. Kazakhstan's energy sector has the following focus areas: improving cleaner energy mix and strengthening energy security.
Government's comprehensive energy development plans: • 2015-2030 General Gasification Scheme in place that sets out the further development of the gas transportation system and
• Increase the gas resources base through geological exploration
• Increase the volume for domestic gas consumption from over 19bn cubic meters in 2022 to 30bn cubic meters by 2029.
Our vision and Strategy are aligned with Kazakhstan's plans to
• Contribute materially to the total commercial gas potential in Kazakhstan whilst strengthening cleaner energy mix
• Major supplier of commercial processed gas in Western
• Preferred partner of choice for handling and processing
• Consolidate owned and potential 3rd party sources of upstream gas fields with midstream solutions • Compete for project execution and operatorship by
• Collaborate with stakeholders and potential partners to
demonstrating excellence in project delivery and operations • Leverage own and external capital to optimise the commercial
• Regional independent midstream gas operator
Kazakhstan for domestic and export markets
3rd party gas in Western Kazakhstan.
(FSU) over the past three decades, including Russia.
mature.
What it means for us
for gas processing.
As the world's largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan depends on an extended network of pipelines and railways to deliver its products to export markets. Pipeline exports are primarily delivered via Russia (Atyrau-Samara and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipelines); via Azerbaijan and Turkey (the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline); and one via China (Atasu-Alashankou). Rail exports utilise Kazakhstan's extensive rail network, reaching markets throughout the FSU and beyond (please refer to page 10 where we discuss the impact of Russian sanctions resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict on our business). Expansion projects at the Tengiz and Karachaganak fields, which have been producing for over two decades, are currently being developed to increase liquid recovery rates as the fields
Nostrum's assets are located in the Pre-Caspian Basin close to the Russian border and in close proximity to some of the most significant hydrocarbon resources in the FSU. This advantageous position means that the Company has access to multiple export markets for its products, as well as labour and specialist equipment providers. In addition, Nostrum has a substantial amount of spare processing capacity in a region where there is a significant amount of stranded gas with a growing need
Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are the two main oil-producing countries in the Caspian region whilst Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are the predominant gas producers. Russia plays an important role in the region by providing a transportation corridor between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, although this part of Russia is not a substantial source of crude oil.
Cost pressures on our supply chain and staff compensation will impact our profitability. As a Company we will continue to be pragmatic in our negotiations with employees and suppliers with respect to wage and general cost inflation, to ensure we maintain our margins.
Vast distances between Central Asian markets, long-established trading relationships and in-place infrastructure promote co-dependency between FSU exporters. Kazakhstan naturally benefits from its geo-strategic position between Russia and China. Nostrum is situated at the heart of the export corridor that exists between Russia and multiple markets to the west of the Caspian.

The foundation of Kazakhstan's oil & gas industry consists of three supergiant fields, Tengiz, Karachaganak and Kashagan, situated in the north-west of the country. Together, these fields hold the majority of the country's reserves and production and have allowed Kazakhstan to attract more foreign direct investment than any other country in the Former Soviet Union (FSU) over the past three decades, including Russia.
As the world's largest landlocked country, Kazakhstan depends on an extended network of pipelines and railways to deliver its products to export markets. Pipeline exports are primarily delivered via Russia (Atyrau-Samara and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipelines); via Azerbaijan and Turkey (the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline); and one via China (Atasu-Alashankou). Rail exports utilise Kazakhstan's extensive rail network, reaching markets throughout the FSU and beyond (please refer to page 10 where we discuss the impact of Russian sanctions resulting from the Russia-Ukraine conflict on our business).
Expansion projects at the Tengiz and Karachaganak fields, which have been producing for over two decades, are currently being developed to increase liquid recovery rates as the fields mature.
Since its independence in 1991, Kazakhstan has established itself as one of the world's
Key macroeconomic and microeconomic trends
Kazakhstan's economy
What it means for us
we maintain our margins.
Cost pressures on our supply chain and staff compensation will impact our profitability. As a Company we will continue to be pragmatic in our negotiations with employees and suppliers with respect to wage and general cost inflation, to ensure
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict slowed post-COVID recovery for Kazakhstan's economy in 2022 but the economy benefitted from high prices for key export commodities. The GDP rate slowed to 3.3%. Inflation soared reaching an all-time high exceeding 20% YoY, mainly driven by external factors, domestic demand, and supply-chain disruptions that pushed up manufacturing costs. The Kazakhstan Tenge (KZT) depreciated by 7% in 2022 ending the year at 462.65 KZT per US\$.
Competitive environment Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are the two main oil-producing countries in the Caspian region whilst Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are the predominant gas producers. Russia plays an important role
in the region by providing a transportation corridor between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, although this part of Russia is not a substantial
source of crude oil.
What it means for us
the west of the Caspian.
Vast distances between Central Asian markets, long-established trading relationships and in-place infrastructure promote co-dependency between FSU exporters. Kazakhstan naturally benefits from its geo-strategic position between Russia and China. Nostrum is situated at the heart of the export corridor that exists between Russia and multiple markets to
most prolific hydrocarbon centres.
Throughout 2022 oil prices were highly volatile due largely to the imposition of tough sanctions against Russia and the slowdown in global economic growth. Oil prices spiked to \$100/bbl in early 2022 and exceeded \$130/bbl in the middle of 2022 before falling by about one-third from their June highs and remaining extremely volatile, closing around \$75/ bbl at the end of 2022. Conflicting supply and demand factors have increased uncertainty in oil price forecasts. Fears of a recession have intensified in both the US and Europe, which could hurt oil demand. The actions of the world's central banks, which have repeatedly hiked interest rates to fight surging inflation, along with an economic slowdown in China, have also influenced the prospects of falling demand for the commodity. OPEC+ countries unanimously agreed in 2022 to relax production output cuts introduced in 2020, but later revised the ceiling of oil production due to the slowdown in the
Oil prices
global economy.
What it means for us
and site restoration liabilities.
The rise in world oil prices has offset production decline and resulted in higher cash flow for the Company. The completion of the debt restructuring will further stabilise the Group, as will our continued focus on reducing our cost base to ensure we can maintain adequate liquidity whilst we pursue the opportunities to fill the spare capacity in our gas processing facilities. At the end of 2022 we had cash reserves in excess of US\$233.6m (31 December 2021: US\$165.2m) excluding US\$22.8m placed into a secured cash account under the terms of the Forbearance Agreement with the informal ad-hoc noteholder group and US\$8.2 m of liquidation fund deposits, which are kept as required by the subsoil use rights for abandonment
Nostrum's assets are located in the Pre-Caspian Basin close to the Russian border and in close proximity to some of the most significant hydrocarbon resources in the FSU. This advantageous position means that the Company has access to multiple export markets for its products, as well as labour and specialist equipment providers. In addition, Nostrum has a substantial amount of spare processing capacity in a region where there is a significant amount of stranded gas with a growing need for gas processing.
In 2022 Kazakhstan presented the Strategy (plans) to achieve carbon neutrality until 2060, which is being developed by Kazakhstan and that will become a guideline for energy transition. Kazakhstan's energy sector has the following focus areas: improving cleaner energy mix and strengthening energy security.
Government's comprehensive energy development plans:
Our vision and Strategy are aligned with Kazakhstan's plans to strengthen its cleaner-energy mix:
The Russia-Ukraine conflict which emerged in the beginning of 2022 has led to widespread sanctions being imposed on various Russian institutions and individuals. Bodies and nations imposing sanctions today include the US, UK and EU and these sanctions have been sequentially expanding.
Given the geographical position of the Group's operations, it is very close to the evolving situation in Ukraine. Whilst Kazakhstan is not directly involved in the ongoing conflict, nor have any Western sanctions been levelled at it, the country is connected to Russia through infrastructure, banking, and other business links. Furthermore, the
Company contracts with a limited number of Russian service companies.
During 2022 the price of Urals traded with a higher discount relative to Brent due to sanctions, which affected the Company's export prices for oil and condensate. During the spring and summer of 2022, the discount reached \$40 per barrel and then declined to \$18-20 per barrel as compared to \$3 per barrel average in 2021.
In addition to the widening of Urals discount used in calculation of export prices on oil and condensate, certain operational matters have been impacted by sanctions, such as the work underway on GTU3 and the extension of the Company's gas lift facilities.

Nostrum is committed to complying with UK, EU and US sanctions relating to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The Company has obtained advice from external legal counsel on the requirements for sanctions compliance, maintains and regularly updates lists of sanctioned persons and entities as these are supplemented or modified by the relevant authorities to prevent Group companies transacting with such persons and entities, has terminated previous commercial relationships that might be impacted by relevant sanctions, makes enquiries with commercial counterparties to mitigate risk of sanctions violations, analyses sanctions restrictions on the sale, export or shipment of products and consults with legal counsel when appropriate on questions that may arise in connection with the foregoing matters.

We will evaluate and continue to invest in both upstream and midstream opportunities where we see the right risk/reward opportunities. This could be either by processing third party hydrocarbons in our world-class infrastructure and/or by scaling up our own production.
In March 2023, Nostrum agreed to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLP, which holds the subsoil use right to the contract No. 25 for estimation, development and production of hydrocarbons for the area "Kamenskoe" and the development area "Kamensko-Teplovsko-Tokarevskoe" (the "Stepnoy Leopard Fields") in the West Kazakhstan region of the RoK dated 3 March 1995, for US\$20m. Management estimates that the Stepnoy Leopard Fields hold between 50 mmboe and 150 mmboe of recoverable volumes which are considered contingent resources, with over 20% estimated to be liquids. There are eight fields within the licences with over 100 wells drilled in the Soviet era, the majority of which have confirmed hydrocarbons to be present. The resources are considered by management to be contingent due to the appraisal and development risks, noting the fields have not previously been developed in part due to the lack of related infrastructure. If the proposed acquisition completes, Nostrum plans to implement an appraisal programme in 2023, with the intention of preparing a technical expert's report which could allow re-classification of certain of the hydrocarbon resources into reserves.

The core strategy for Nostrum to create value for its stakeholders is to commercialise the investment made in its infrastructure, the focus being on filling the spare capacity with third-party hydrocarbons. The first step towards achieving this was made in 2018, when Nostrum entered into binding agreements to process third-party hydrocarbons starting in 2023 to be delivered by Ural O&G from the Rozhkovskoye field, which is situated less than 20km from the Chinarevskoye field. Ural O&G will fund the connection of existing wells at the Rozhkovskoye field to Nostrum's licence area after which Nostrum will process all of the hydrocarbons coming into the field. Since Ural O&G feedstock is expected to be delivered at the end of October 2023, Nostrum started with construction of tie-in pipeline to Ural O&G facilities and spent US\$1.0m in 2022 out of a total planned spend of US\$5m. Completion of this tie-in is planned for Q3 2023.
In July 2021, Zhaikmunai and Ural O&G agreed to extend the deadline under the agreements for Ural O&G's first delivery of gas and liquid gas-condensate hydrocarbons to Zhaikmunai by approximately six months, from 9 April 2023 to 31 October 2023. The extension was requested by Ural O&G as a result of circumstances relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ural O&G is a company owned by KazMunaiGas (KMG) (50%), Sinopec (27.5%) and MOL Group (MOL) (22.5%).
Nostrum is also focused on entering into additional agreements which can fill all the remaining capacity at its GTF. Nostrum is working with counterparties to secure long-term streams of raw gas from which it can generate significant revenues.
Nostrum is now at the right place and at the right time to participate in Kazakhstan's transition to a cleaner energy strategy and to strengthen its energy security.
Major opportunities in the region to secure long-term supply of raw gas.

Uralsk
OIL EXPORTS PIPELINE Atyrau-Samara
NOSTRUM OIL
KAZAKHSTA N
NOSTRUM GAS EXPORT PIPELINE
NOSTRUM PROCESSING FACILITY
Rozhkovskoye field – Sinopec – MOL Group – KazMunaiGas
Chinarevskoye field
LPG EXPORTS VIA RAIL
GAS EXPORT PIPELINE Orenburg-Novopskov
Karachaganak – Shell – Eni – Lukoil – Chevron – KazMunaiGas
Aksai


of Kazakhstan's natural gas reserves are located in Western Kazakhstan

RAIL LOADING TERMINAL AND CRUDE/ CONDENSATE STORAGE
Leopard
CONDENSATE EXPORTS VIA RAIL
Mixed asset energy framework
Nostrum's under-utilised 4.2 bcma state-of-the-art gas processing infrastructure is well-positioned to provide an immediate solution for third party raw gas, at an affordable cost, and as such it represents one of the best opportunities to rapidly increase the commercial gas supply by nearly 20%."

Having completed the Restructuring in early 2023 with a healthy balance sheet, cash reserves and a new, high-calibre Board, Nostrum has entered a new stage of its development that we call 'Nostrum 2.0'. As an energy company, we are at the crossroads of change at the Company level and the environment in which we operate, especially Kazakhstan. There have been several changes in Kazakhstan with the establishment of a new administration that is actively re-shaping the priorities in the energy sector with greater emphasises on energy security and transition.
The Government of Kazakhstan is developing a comprehensive gasification scheme to meet rapidly rising demand for commercial gas and its corresponding share in the structure of fuel and energy balance of the country. The majority of the gas produced in Kazakhstan is currently re-injected to enhance liquids recovery, with only a little over a third available for commercial purposes. Nostrum's underutilised 4.2 bcma state-of-the-art gas processing infrastructure is well-positioned to provide an immediate solution for third party raw gas, at an affordable cost, and as such it represents one of the best opportunities to rapidly increase the commercial gas supply by nearly 20%.
Nostrum has already succeeded in its transformation from a single-asset (Chinarevskoye Field) to a mixed-asset company by adding another upstream field (Stepnoy Leopard), sanctioning the upcoming startup of the midstream tie-back project by Ural Oil & Gas (Rozhkovskoye Field), and completing an internal feasibility assessment of a possible midstream project from the Karachaganak Field.
The Company is very fortunate to have attracted such high calibre new Board members. Nostrum is assured of a bright future with Steve Whyte as Chair. Steve has extensive experience with supermajors and independent companies in the sector and has also served as a Board observer appointed by Nostrum's bondholders for the past two years. The other new directors are Fiona Paulus, a seasoned investment banker, Martin Gudgeon who has deep experience in financial restructuring and the bond markets, and both Chris Cox and Chris Hopkinson who have served in key leadership roles running E&P companies as petroleum engineers.
The annual average production in 2022 was 13,200 boepd. As expected, our production has continued to decline from the maturing primary reservoirs, with the decline averaging 23% annually over the past three years. Nostrum stopped drilling in 2019 after the significant subsurface failures. Further, the primary producing reservoirs also experienced premature water breakthrough, rapidly rising water cut and pressure depletion. The majority of the producing wells require gas lift to sustain production and to reduce abandonment pressures at highest possible water cut. Even some of the gas wells are now being placed on gas lift to help remediate waterlogging at bottomhole. To keep up with the rapidly rising demand for gas lift, our compressors have been operating near their design limits with combined capacity of 500 thousand m3/day. Early in 2022 we funded the addition of further compression to raise the capacity to 900 thousand m3/ day for circa US\$8 million, to help safeguard the production against equipment failures and to keep wells from going offline. The delivery of the new compressor experienced significant delays due to the Russian sanctions, and this has created significant challenges for the production technologists in the judicious allocation of gas lift to optimise production. After a nearly 9-month delay, we expect the new compressor to startup in Q3 2023. Lastly, our capital workover program that targets behind-pipe proved-undeveloped reserves has also been largely exhausted.
The focus of the well intervention campaigns in the field has shifted to well surveillance and maintenance, including corrosion and well integrity management. We keep on standby both a workover rig and a coil tubing unit to mitigate delays in reacting to well failures.
Slowing the production decline with best-in-class WRM while maintaining cost discipline remains a constant focus of our team. We succeeded in holding our costs flat or slightly lower and delivered exceptional opex and G&A performance against mounting geopolitical pressures on supply-chain and inflation. Operations also delivered production system availability of better than 98% with under 5% production deferment. Our exports were executed without interruption despite the Russia-Ukraine conflict and delivered circa 4.6 mmboe in sales volumes. To protect and improve our netbacks, we re-negotiated the gas sales price and completed new offtake agreements for crude and condensate.
In 2022, we also initiated subsurface studies to update the geologic and reservoir models with the additional information gained since 2019 and completed re-processing of the 3D seismic. This work will also be used to determine low-risk reservoir infill targets that will enable the Company to resume limited-scale drilling operations later in 2023, targeting the 1P and 2P reserves of 20.2 and 28.3 mmboe, respectively, as of 31 December 2022. The Group's PDP reserves are determined at 19 mmboe at end 2022.
In March 2023, we agreed to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLP for US\$20 million. We estimate that the Stepnoy Leopard fields hold between 50 mmboe and 150 mmboe of recoverable volumes which presently are classified as contingent resources. Upon completion of the proposed acquisition we plan to implement an appraisal programme in 2023, with the intention of preparing a Competent Person's Report (CPR). This would allow re-classification of certain of the contingent resources to proven reserves and help determine the commercially viable development schemes. A broad range of development concepts have been defined that include a smallerscale Early Production System (EPS) for fastest production startup to Full-Field Development (FFD) requiring installation of the tie-back infrastructure.
Located about 100 km west of our world-class full-process infrastructure, the Stepnoy Leopard field is potentially an attractive Nostrum-operated upstream tie-back project that could deliver material reserves addition to the Group's rapidly depleting resource base at Chinarevskoye.
With our 4.2 bcma world-class gas processing infrastructure and direct transport links to the markets, we are well positioned to leverage these advantages with midstream tie-back projects from the nearby upstream fields that are operated by others.
In 2022, we sanctioned this midstream project at circa US\$5million that connects our process facilities at the southern manifold to the tie-back infrastructure that is under construction by Ural Oil & Gas. First gas from the Rozhkovskoye Field is expected in Q4 2023 with 5 wells producing, ramping up to potentially 0.2 to 0.5 bcma of production. Nostrum will process the gas under a processing agreement that covers gas, LPG, and condensate. This inaugural midstream project demonstrates the efficacy of our mixed-asset strategy.
Full utilisation of our 4.2 bcma gas process facilities will require additional third party raw gas sources beyond what is currently available from the Chinarevskoye, Stepnoy Leopard, and Rozhkovskoye fields. We have been conducting internal technical and economic evaluation of potential tie-back concepts from the Karachaganak field that currently produces over 18 bcma, with half of such gas re-injected for liquids recovery (gas re-cycling) and half exported to the Orenburg Plant in Russia. The total gas production from the field is expected to increase significantly over the coming years owing to the drying of the reservoir.
Our gas process infrastructure with significant available ullage, located only about 100 km north of the Karachaganak field, represents a compelling value proposition to both the Republic of Kazakhstan and KPO, especially as an alternative to increasing supplies to or from Russia. Further, with both rapidly rising demand for commercial gas and field-gas production, our existing gas process infrastructure offers the fastest possible startup solution at the lowest possible cost. We have conducted internal detail engineering and concept tradeoff studies to define the optimal solution for bringing the raw gas supplies from the Karachaganak field to our facilities at Chinarevskoye and delivering the fully processed dry gas into the Intergas Central Asia (ICA) line, operated by QazaqGas, to which we are already connected via a 17-km 24" gas pipeline.
Over the past three years the Company went through an onerous process of restructuring its US\$725 million 8.0% Senior Notes due July 2022 and US\$400 million 7.0% Senior Notes due February 2025. This included the exchange of a portion of the legacy notes for new notes comprising US\$250 million Senior Secured Notes and US\$300 million Senior Unsecured Notes, and the conversion of the remainder of the notes into shares, as well as the issue of new warrants and implementation of new corporate governance requirements as described in more detail on pages 88-127. Implementation of the restructuring has helped the Company to improve its balance sheet and reduce the cash debt servicing requirement from US\$86 million to around US\$17 million annually, which has enabled us to improve liquidity and focus on future growth.
Hence, completion of the Restructuring was an important milestone for our Group, and we could not have reached this momentous occasion without the tremendous hard work and dedication of our people and advisors, with patience and support from our investors. This enabled the Company to move expeditiously to unlock the full potential and value of its existing worldclass gas processing infrastructure, acting in the best interest of our investors and other stakeholders, whilst strengthening the energy security of the region.
The financial performance of the Group during the year was quite stable and positive due to an increase in commodity pricing. This was achieved notwithstanding the natural decline in production, alongside inflationary and other macroeconomic challenges.
Despite the downward trend in production, Brent referenced prices remained relatively favourable in 2022, averaging at around \$100/bbl, which helped the Group to generate revenues of US\$199.7 million while our EBITDA amounted to US\$115.7 million with an increase of 2.8% compared to last year. In addition, our continued cost-conscious approach to operations helped maintain a healthy 57.9% EBITDA margin for 2022.
The Brent – Urals differential, which affected our crude oil and condensate sales, impacted our revenues in 2022. Even though it has been up from around US\$3/bbl at the beginning of the period to around US\$35/bbl towards the end of 2022, we continued optimising the netbacks for crude oil and condensate. We analysed alternative export routes with export prices unrelated to the Urals quotation for oil and gas condensate supplies and have made all necessary efforts to address the widening Urals spread.
In 2022, the Company successfully generated US\$68.3 million in positive cash flow, resulting in total cash balances of US\$233.6 million as of 31 December 2022, excluding US\$22.8 million held in an escrow account. The strong cash flow performance combined with a successful restructuring of existing debt put the Company in a strong position to be able to invest into economically favourable strategic projects.
The safety of every person working for Nostrum has always been at the top of our priorities. 2022 marks the fourth consecutive year with zero fatalities among employees and contractors during operations. Nostrum is also proud to report zero lost time injuries and zero injuries on the road.
In 2022, we recorded a 36% decline in the TRIR safety performance indicator as compared to 2021. These positive developments are attributable to Nostrum's continuous efforts in implementing its safety improvement plan, active leadership interventions and encouraging a good reporting culture.
The reporting year recorded our best HSE performance to date since 2019. HSE remains a big part of the Company's agenda and we will continue to facilitate change by continuous adoption of best practices and strategies to strive for above-peer safety performance.
In addition to these achievements, since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic Nostrum has been adopting new protective procedures by adding risk management practices, protocols and other measures to avoid business disruptions. These have allowed us to ensure and continue safe production operations while minimising risks.
We take our ESG commitments very seriously. We are one of the largest employers in the West Kazakhstan region with over 500 Kazakh nationals representing over 92% of our workforce. Nostrum is very active in the community where we operate by developing its human capital: anti-bribery and corruption and diversity & inclusion training, stellar records of industrial safety and security, full compliance with applicable environmental, emissions and permitting regulations permitting and with internal targets. In 2022 we formed a separate internal task force which is focused on these matters and on improving our performance in energy & water efficiency, HSE, human capital, and governance matters.
The year 2022 brought many important milestones in improving ESG, including our ESG task force. The task force has been working closely with Sustainalytics, an internationally recognised rating agency, which performed a full ESG review of the Company. As a result, we received our first ESG Risk Rating of 40.5. A lot of effort has been made to improve our performance during 2022 and while our current ESG rating means we still fall slightly within the "Severe Risk" range we are within 0.5 points from the "High Risk" category. This performance is encouraging and consistent with that of most of our peers in the energy sector.
In 2022, our greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions were reduced from 187 thousand tons to 170 thousand tons emissions in CO2 equivalent in a year, which is considerably ahead of Kazakhstan's National GHG Plan.
The Company continues to report on TCFD and has for the first time disclosed one category of Scope 3 emissions in 2023.
Nostrum always strives to be a responsible operator committed to minimising the Company's impact on its surrounding environment.
Zhaikmunai LLP, Nostrum's wholly-owned subsidiary, put the cherry on top of the accomplishments mentioned above by winning the Paryz 2022 Award for "Contribution to the Environment." We appreciate this national recognition of our efforts in mitigating the environmental impact of the company's activities and listing us among socially responsible businesses in Kazakhstan.
As a gas-focused company, we can play an important role in the transition to cleaner energy. Our ESG roadmap is intricately linked with our integrated gas strategy:
We will endeavour to achieve best-in-class status with regard to ESG and be part of the solution for Kazakhstan's strategy to transition to cleaner energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
In 2023, we will press ahead with further improving our ESG performance and strengthening our culture of continuous operational improvement. I strongly believe in our long-term success given the commitment of our employees, who represent the forefront of the industry.
The emerging global challenges have significantly raised uncertainty in the future business climate. Yet we are confident that our agility and flexibility in decisionmaking, redesigning our supply chains, as well as our commitment to responsible business practices will help us meet the challenges and maximise shareholder value without compromising safety, from an optimised cost and resource base.
The completion of the restructuring this year unlocked Nostrum's potential to deliver maximised shareholder value, while prioritising occupational safety, from an optimised cost and resource base. The bold steps we have taken in 2022 and earlier are only the beginning of our way of ensuring solid foundations for a rewarding and profitable future. I am certain that our strong commitments to the said goals will demonstrate a palpable difference over the course of 2023.
No man is an island. These accomplishments would have been impossible without our dedicated team. I'm grateful and proud that Nostrum is run by a committed and talented pool of professionals that create a substantial opportunity for growth and a promising future. Our relentless focus on our strategic priorities will continue to create incremental value for shareholders.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our stakeholders and the host governments for your trust and support during 2022. We are looking forward to continuing our established relationships and to growing these further in 2023. I believe that the road ahead is an exciting and rewarding one.
Arfan Khan
Chief Executive Officer
We remain confident in our long-term growth strategy, while broadening our opportunities with investments in future growth best-in-class facilities and continuous improvement of our portfolio in the industry
In March 2023 Nostrum agreed to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLP, which holds the subsoil use right to the Stepnoy Leopard Fields in the West Kazakhstan region for US\$20m. Management estimates its recoverable volumes between 50 mmboe and 150 mmboe which are considered to be contingent resources.

Contingent resources
50-150 mmboe

Well-positioned to become a major third-party gas processor

Total processing capacity
4.2 bcm
Construction of the tie-in pipeline is in progress with a total expected capex of around US\$5m, of which US\$1m was spent in 2022. The first delivery of third-party hydrocarbons for processing is expected in 4Q 2023.
Our gas process infrastructure with significant available ullage, located only about 100 km north, offers a compelling value proposition to both RoK and KPO, especially as an alternative to increasing supplies to or from Russia. We have been conducting internal technical and economic evaluation of potential tie-back concepts from the Karachaganak field.

Following the completion of the Restructuring the Company will focus on unlocking the full potential and value of its existing world-class gas processing infrastructure.

To unlock the value of our full potential for all our stakeholders through securing our business by working as a well-integrated team across all disciplines.

To contribute materially to the total marketable commercial gas potential and its affordability in Kazakhstan whilst strengthening a cleaner energy mix.
We are trustworthy and reliable, take our corporate, social and ecological responsibilities seriously, and are dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees.
• Advance ongoing discussions with third parties interested in supplying raw gas to take advantage of the Group's gas processing capacity.
• Operational readiness to receive raw-gas supplies from UOG. • Conclude commercial processing
• Total recordable injury frequency.
• For overall ESG "Severe" risk rating to reach higher score level.
• Lost time injury frequency. • Road traffic incidents. • Greenhouse gas emissions. • Focus on improvements across ESG and ultimate upgrade in
• Control Opex and G&A.
• Balance sales mix and maximise
• Maximise uptime of existing wells and production facilities. • Deliver gas lift expansion project.
• Resumption of limited-scale infill
• Completion of acquisition of
• Commission GTU3.
drilling at CHN.
new fields.
contracts.
rating.
netbacks.
prospects for 2023-2024
project.
volumes.
management.
• Safe startup of UOG midstream
contracts to fill the Group's spare gas processing capacity with third-party
• Execute binding commercial
• Improve contractor safety
safety/Asset integrity).
• Achieve objectives set in the HSE plan (HSE Leadership, Incident management, Personal Safety, Contractor management, Process
• Manage "operational" liquidity and cash reserves to ensure continuity of operations whilst unlocking the future growth opportunities.
• Reduce decline rates in existing
• Addition of proven reserves from
• Identify technologies to increase well productivity and reduce sub-surface risk for drilling programmes at
producing wells.
Chinarevskoye.
new upstream fields.
• UOG project execution delays due to weather and installation of fiscal
• Ongoing negotiations with various counterparties are complex and commercially sensitive, and there can be no certainty that agreement
• Legal framework for environmental protection and operational safety still being developed in Kazakhstan.
• Impact of equipment failure.
• Sustained higher prices can lead to cost inflation in Kazakhstan. • Further spend on CHN reservoir development will likely be needed to satisfy regulatory and licence-to-
operate requirements.
• At low production levels,
operating cash flow.
unexpected sub-surface events could severely impact the Group's
• Significant subsurface uncertainties and risks could negatively impact drilling and appraisal campaigns.
metering.
will be reached.
• Evaluate all sales routes for sustainability and profitability.
• Utilise workover rig and rigless activities as well as other technologies to slow existing production decline.
| <Pls | ||
|---|---|---|
SETTING THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE GROWTH • Strengthening of corporate governance with new, highly experienced Board • Completion of major bond restructuring unlocks new opportunities to chart the next
• Advance ongoing discussions with third parties interested in supplying raw gas to take advantage of the Group's gas processing capacity. • Complete EPCI scope for the UOG midstream tie-back. • Appraise additional upstream assets to strengthen Group's hydrocarbon resource base.
• Ensure the safety of employees, contractors and the environment. • Continue adherence to "Golden Rules". • Further improve ESG Risk rating (Sustainalytics scoring).
• Continue to challenge costs whilst pivoting towards growth and transitioning into
• Evaluate all sales routes for sustainability and profitability.
• Utilise workover rig and rigless activities as well as other technologies to slow existing production decline. • Complete subsurface studies to allow resumption of low-risk drilling campaign. • Complete field development feasibility studies of newly acquired upstream assets.
a multi-asset energy
company.
chapter of our growth
• Strong ESG performance focus: contributing to energy security and transition to cleaner energy
MANAGING OUR LIQUIDITY • We are structurally addressing our cost base and building a cost-conscious culture to support our growth ambitions, improve our balance sheet, offset inflationary pressures, and thereafter gear our business to deliver operating leverage
consistently
management
• Cash flow growth through disciplined capital and cost
gas processing facilities • Well-positioned to become a major third-party gas processor
LAUNCHING OUR STRATEGY • We remain confident in our long-term growth strategy, while broadening our opportunities with investments in future growth best-in-class facilities and continuous improvement of our portfolio in the industry • We have developed multiple strategies to commercialise the spare capacity in our world-class
• Achieve objectives set in the HSE plan (HSE Leadership, Incident management, Personal Safety, Contractor management, Process safety/Asset integrity).
• Control Opex and G&A.
• Manage "operational" liquidity and cash reserves to ensure continuity of operations whilst unlocking the future growth opportunities.
• Maximise uptime of existing wells and production facilities.

Regular engagement ensures we operate in a balanced and responsible way, both in the short and longer term. We engage by sharing information about our activities and discussing with stakeholders their interests and concerns. Understanding our stakeholders and their views is integral to the successful delivery of our corporate objectives.
The Directors are fully aware of their responsibilities to promote the success of the Company in accordance with section 172 of the Companies Act and to have regard for the interests of the Company's employees and other stakeholders, including the impact of the Company's activities on the community and the environment, when making decisions at Board level. The Directors, acting in good faith, consider what is most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members as a whole.
Read more about our governance on pages 88–127.
Read more about delivering our responsible business practices on pages 54–87.
Key stakeholders Why we engage How we engage

The Group had a workforce of 566 full-time employees at 31 December 2022, the majority based in Kazakhstan and of whom 92% were Kazakhstan nationals.
• The physical and mental wellbeing of our employees is essential to the continued safe operation of
• Shareholders and bondholders have seen their investment in Nostrum reduce in recent years as a result of the disappointing results from successive drilling programmes. Engagement with our stakeholders, including minority shareholders, is crucial for their understanding of Nostrum's plans to monetise its
• In addition, further financing will be required if Nostrum is to be successful in those plans.
• To successfully co-exist with the communities within which Nostrum operates, we need to understand what is important to them and how we are able to contribute.
• Our suppliers must meet high safety, legal and ethical standards. • We recognise our role as a leading contributor to the local and national economy, therefore we continue to engage local suppliers to meet our
• A number of the Board's decisions require careful consideration of governmental and/or regulatory
• We pay substantial amounts of taxes and social contributions.
operating needs.
issues.
town hall events.
1 January 2022.
are available on our website.
to ask questions of the Board.
restructuring.
"Road to School".
provision of transportation.
• Increased interactions between management and the workforce including cooperation meetings and
• In February 2023 Nostrum completed the implementation of the restructuring after obtaining all required licenses and approvals. As a result, US\$1.125bn of existing notes have been replaced with US250m Senior Secured and US\$300m Senior Unsecured notes due in 2026. The remaining portion of existing notes were converted into the Company's equity and the existing ordinary shareholders were diluted to 11.11%, subject
• Regular update and disclosure around results including conference calls and press releases as and when required. • Financial reports and extensive other shareholder information, including Russian translations of all press releases,
• Our Annual General Meeting provides an opportunity for all shareholders, including minority shareholders,
Throughout 2022, the Company actively interacted with the local community. During 2022, sponsorship and charitable assistance was provided to various public associations and local communities.
• Partial financing of the repair of secondary schools in settlements near the infrastructure of Zhaikmunai. • Purchase of school supplies for children from low-income families through the nationwide charity event
• Organizing a New Year's dinner for 25 high-school students from the village of Yanvarcevo including the
• Allocation of funds to support consumers through the reduction of hydrocarbon gas retail prices.
• Financial support to the specialized children's preschool institutions for procurement of healthcare facilities
• Providing support on an as-needed basis to the region we operate in, such as lending necessary equipment in emergency situations in rural districts on occasions of extreme snow or infrastructure accidents and also providing transportation to residents to medical institutions or to enable them to vote in elections.
• Where commercially attractive, contracts were extended ensuring continuation of relationships and building
• In some cases, contract scopes were split to maintain relationships with the service providers, in particular
• Formal and informal discussions are held on a regular basis with local and national government, regulatory and tax officials and ministers across a variety of levels within Nostrum. In this way we can be aware of and responsive to proposed changes in legislation or the interpretation of existing laws and regulations. • With the completion of restructuring in early 2023, the Company is now well-positioned to move expeditiously to unlock the full potential and value of its existing world-class gas processing infrastructure, acting in the best interest of our investors and other stakeholders, whilst strengthening the energy security of the region.
• Financing of socially significant events on the territories of the Company's activities.
• Sponsoring the participation of talented children in Republican sports competitions.
• In March 2023, Nostrum's Board and senior management team held a Capital Markets Day in London to update investors and shareholders on the strategy and the Company's performance following the completion of the
to further dilution if the warrants held by existing noteholders are exercised.
The Company's support in 2022 is evidenced by the following:
and equipment and children in need of medical treatment.
further on raising HSE and operating standards.
in relation to new construction projects.
• Annual wage indexation to help alleviate effects of inflation including indexation with effect from
our Group.
infrastructure.
Investors and bondholders have provided some of the financing required for the construction of the Group's infrastructure.
Nostrum co-exists with diverse communities in Kazakhstan, and we try to strengthen community engagement and promote long-term development in the areas immediately surrounding our operations.
We are committed to building sustainable relationships with our suppliers, contractors and customers.
Governments and regulators set the framework within which we operate and changes to policies, regulations, legislation and personnel can have major impacts on the Group's business.
Regular engagement ensures we operate in a balanced and responsible way, both in the short and longer term. We engage by sharing information about our activities and
Workforce
Investors
Local communities
Suppliers and
Governments and
regulators
contractors
The Group had a workforce of 566 full-time employees at 31 December 2022, the majority based in Kazakhstan and of whom 92% were Kazakhstan nationals.
Investors and bondholders have provided some of the financing required for the construction of the Group's infrastructure.
Nostrum co-exists with diverse communities in Kazakhstan, and we try to strengthen community engagement and promote long-term development in the areas immediately surrounding
We are committed to building sustainable relationships with our suppliers, contractors
Governments and regulators set the framework within which we operate and changes to policies, regulations, legislation and personnel can have major impacts on the Group's business.
our operations.
and customers.
discussing with stakeholders their
interests and concerns. Understanding our stakeholders and their views is integral to the successful delivery of our
corporate objectives.
statement
as a whole.
Section 172(1) GRI 203-2
The Directors are fully aware of their responsibilities to promote the success of the Company in accordance with section 172 of the Companies Act and to have regard for the interests of the Company's employees and other stakeholders, including the impact of the Company's activities on the community and the environment, when making decisions at Board level. The Directors, acting in good faith, consider what is most likely to promote the success of the Company for the benefit of its members
Read more about our governance
Read more about delivering our responsible business practices
on pages 88–127.
on pages 54–87.
| • The physical and mental wellbeing |
|---|
| of our employees is essential to |
| the continued safe operation of |
| our Group. |
We seek to develop energy resources in north-western Kazakhstan through monetising the spare capacity of our gas treatment facility to deliver value to our stakeholders.

To unlock the value of our full potential for all our stakeholders through securing our business by working as a well-integrated team across all disciplines.

To contribute materially to the total marketable commercial gas potential and its affordability in Kazakhstan whilst strengthening a cleaner energy mix.
We are trustworthy and reliable, take our corporate, social and ecological responsibilities seriously, and are dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees.
Well located to develop regional resources. Multiple transportation routes to market and full control of liquid transportation logistics.
Nostrum's existing 4.2 bcma dry gas processing infrastructure is a gamechanger to participate in Kazakhstan's transition to a cleaner energy strategy and to strengthen its energy security.
Kazakhstan's Energy Sector
Kazakhstan.
resources.
Investors
Workforce
Nostrum is a major supplier of commercial processed gas in Western Kazakhstan for domestic and export markets. Aiming to be the preferred partner of choice for handling and processing third-party gas in Western
We are one of the leading employers in north-western Kazakhstan, and we hold a valuable key to unlocking future development of otherwise stranded natural
implementation of the restructuring after obtaining all
US\$1.125bn of existing notes have been replaced with US250m Senior Secured and US\$300m Senior Unsecured notes due in 2026. The remaining portion of existing notes were converted into the Company's equity and the existing ordinary shareholders were diluted to 11.11%, subject to further dilution if the warrants held by existing noteholders are exercised.
We are a proud community partner and strive to foster a culture of openness and engagement, offering social and financial support to promote the wellbeing
Deliver on our production and project plans. Constant communication with our key customers and suppliers.
Governments and regulators We paid US\$31.9m of tax in 2022 to governments. Our gas process infrastructure with significant available ullage, located only about 100 km north, offers a compelling value proposition to both RoK and KPO, especially as an alternative to increasing supplies to or
Please see our website for more information
at www.nostrumoilandgas.com
In February 2023, Nostrum completed the
required licenses and approvals. As a result,
Local communities
Suppliers, contractors
of local residents.
from Russia.
and customers
Own and potential third-party sources of upstream gas fields with midstream solutions
Operations streamlined in 2022 and costs reduced.
A significant number of our contractors and suppliers are local Kazakhstan entities, meaning that we support the local economy. This also means that we are well positioned to maintain operations if access to Kazakhstan is restricted.
Nostrum's BoD and Senior Management Team is seasoned, close-knit and well-integrated across critical disciplines, with proven skills in project execution and production operations.
Safety is a personal and shared responsibility. Everybody working at or visiting our facilities has a right to return home safely and to perform their duties under safe working conditions.
We seek to develop energy resources in
Our purpose
across all disciplines.
Our vision
energy mix.
Our values
To unlock the value of our full potential for all our stakeholders through securing our business by working as a well-integrated team
To contribute materially to the total marketable commercial gas potential and its affordability in Kazakhstan whilst strengthening a cleaner
We are trustworthy and reliable, take our corporate, social and ecological responsibilities seriously, and are dedicated to the health, safety and wellbeing of our employees.
north-western Kazakhstan through monetising the spare capacity of our gas treatment facility to deliver value to our stakeholders.

Nostrum is a major supplier of commercial processed gas in Western Kazakhstan for domestic and export markets. Aiming to be the preferred partner of choice for handling and processing third-party gas in Western Kazakhstan.
We are one of the leading employers in north-western Kazakhstan, and we hold a valuable key to unlocking future development of otherwise stranded natural resources.
In February 2023, Nostrum completed the implementation of the restructuring after obtaining all required licenses and approvals. As a result, US\$1.125bn of existing notes have been replaced with US250m Senior Secured and US\$300m Senior Unsecured notes due in 2026. The remaining portion of existing notes were converted into the Company's equity and the existing ordinary shareholders were diluted to 11.11%, subject to further dilution if the warrants held by existing noteholders are exercised.
We are a proud community partner and strive to foster a culture of openness and engagement, offering social and financial support to promote the wellbeing of local residents.
Deliver on our production and project plans. Constant communication with our key customers and suppliers.
We paid US\$31.9m of tax in 2022 to governments. Our gas process infrastructure with significant available ullage, located only about 100 km north, offers a compelling value proposition to both RoK and KPO, especially as an alternative to increasing supplies to or from Russia.
Please see our website for more information at www.nostrumoilandgas.com
Whilst Nostrum has successfully built infrastructure and produced over 100 mmboe from the Chinarevskoye field, it has incurred substantial debt and faces declining production from its producing field. In 2023 the Group has restructured its debt and reinforced its tight financial discipline to maintain liquidity and safeguard our core business.
| 2022 | 233.6 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 165.2 | |
| 2020 | 78.6 | |
| 2019 | 93.9 | |
| 2018 | 121.8 |
| 2022 | 6.47 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5.13 |
| 2020 | 3.91 |
| 2019 | 3.98 |
| 2018 | 4.37 |
| 2022 | 2.47 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.92 | |
| 2020 | 1.72 | |
| 2019 | 1.86 | |
| 2018 | 1.78 |
| 2022 | 4.36 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.84 | |
| 2020 | 3.57 | |
| 2019 | 4.25 | |
| 2018 | 4.64 |
Performing responsibly and safely is integral to our strategy and to the sustainability of our business. We believe that longterm value comes from seeing success as a part of a bigger picture, encompassing people and the environment. We have set ourselves specific nonfinancial KPIs to track our progress, as we believe this to be the best way to monitor our achievements in relation to environmental, social and governance matters. In 2022, Nostrum ESG KPIs were:
| 2022 | 12,524 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 15,330 | ||
| 2020 | 21,514 | ||
| 2019 | 26,671 | ||
| 2018 | 29,516 |
| 2022 | 1,746 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1,278 | ||
| 2020 | 665 | ||
| 2019 | 216 | ||
| 01 2018 |
| 2022 | 0.00 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.46 | |
| 2020 | 0.72 | |
| 2019 | 0.72 | |
| 2018 | 0.80 |
| 2022 | 0.00 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.81 | |||
| 2020 | 0.84 | |||
| 2019 | 1.39 | |||
| 2018 | 1.05 |
| 2022 | 170 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 187 |
| 2020 | 188 |
| 2019 | 223 |
| 2018 | 255 |
| 2022 | 1.56 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.42 | |
| 2020 | 3.80 | |
| 2019 | 2.96 | |
| 2018 | 1.39 |
Hazard Observation Card initiative introduced in 2019.
Working responsibly means taking care of people, the environment and assets. We continuously review our approach to ESG by engaging with and taking into account views of our host governments and communities, shareholders, bondholders and our employees.
We strive to emphasise the cultivation of a robust and safe workplace for our employees while operating in a sustainable and ethical manner for the benefit of the community, our stakeholders, and the environment.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations are integrated into the policies and principles that govern our business and reflect our commitment to sustainable growth. To maintain focus on this important area, we have made ESG one of the key foundations of our business since it plays a vital role in our success. As an independent oil and gas company, we are increasingly cognisant of stakeholder interest in the ethos and sustainability for our business, and we strive for continuous improvements in all aspects of ESG performance.
At Nostrum, we are committed:
• to thorough and responsible governance of our corporate practices by incorporating our ESG practices into our business goals on the corporate and individual level and ensuring Board oversight of our ESG strategy.
These areas reflect how we are working as a team to deliver solutions to global challenges and create lasting value for our customers, communities, employees, stakeholders and businesses.
This approach and some of the results are described below and in the remainder of this report.
We see our responsibility to participate in sustainable development not only as a duty to society but as an opportunity to do well by doing good. By embracing sustainable development, we aim to deliver value to our employees, customers, suppliers, partners, shareholders and to society as a whole. The ESG roadmap sets out clear targets to achieve our sustainable development ambitions. The roadmap uses metrics to track our progress toward achieving our goals.


Business impact
15% and more
Less than 5%
5-10%
Production in 2022 was 13,200 boepd, which represents a 22% decline compared to 2021, and consistent with expectations.
As in 2021, no drilling took place in 2022 as Nostrum continued focussing on managing financial liquidity by lowering overall costs by concentrating on production maintenance, workovers and rigless activities.
The rig workover campaign in 2022 consisted of nine interventions on a range of horizons for oil and gas-condensate wells. Rigless recompletions, additional perforations and acid stimulations were also carried out on a number of oil, gas-condensate and water-injection wells.
Nostrum provisionally plans to resume drilling during late 2023 whilst continuing with workover and well intervention programmes, utilising one workover rig and associated equipment.
Supplementary Agreement 19 to the PSA was registered in January 2023 approving a 2022 Work Programme which assumed no drilling in 2022. Furthermore, during 2022 an Analysis of the Field Development Plan (AFDP) for the period of 2023-2024 (including drilling of two wells in 2023) was developed by Zhaikmunai with a RoK licensed institute, and reviewed by the RoK Authorities in November 2022. The AFDP was approved and will become the basis for Supplementary Agreement 20, which is aimed to be registered in 2023.
| Crude oil | Stabilised condensate | |
|---|---|---|
| • Density – 0.834g/cm3 | • Density – 0.755g/cm3 | |
| • API – 38.2 degrees | • API – 55.9 degrees | |
| Quality Sales |
• Average sulphur – 0.55% | • Average sulphur – <0.06% |
| • PSA requires at least 15% to be sold domestically with | • 100% exported | |
| remaining 85% exported • In 2022, 24.3% was sold domestically and the remaining volumes exported in accordance with the PSA, which is in line with the past few years and expectations (i.e. up to 25% of crude oil could be supplied to the domestic market) |
• Destinations include the Russian port of Kaliningrad and the Dutch port of Rotterdam |
|
| Pricing | • Brent and Urals based pricing for pipeline exports • Domestic sales at over 60% discount • Prices negotiated directly with the purchaser |
• Brent, Urals and Nafta product-based pricing, negotiated directly with the purchaser |
| • During 2022, all exported crude oil volumes were sold through the KazTransOil (KTO) pipeline |
• Sent through our own 120 km pipeline from the field site to our own rail loading terminal in Uralsk |
|
| Transportation | • Crude exports are delivered to the KTO pipeline through an extension to our own 120 km pipeline from the field site. From here the crude is delivered via trunk pipelines. |
• From here it is loaded onto railcars and sent abroad |
| 2022 | 5,696 | 43% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 6,877 | 40% | ||
| 2020 | 8,476 | 38% | ||
| 2019 | 9,798 | 34% | ||
| 2018 | 11,490 | 37% |
As noted in the Reserves section, extraction of 2P volumes will require further interventions (side-tracks, new drilling and workovers) up to 2026. More workover activities are planned in the period from 2023 – 2024 with drilling operations expected to be started again in Chinarevskoye from H2 2023. However, execution of the programme to recover the 2P reserves is dependent on Nostrum successfully identifying low risk drilling targets, and to this end seismic and geological work is ongoing. There is no guarantee that Nostrum will be able to achieve such de-risking, which could have a material impact on Nostrum's ability to develop the remaining Proven and Probable Reserves at Chinarevskoye.
With the main shutdown completed in 2021, no major shutdowns were required in 2022. The RoK requirement for vessel inspection was changed in 2022, allowing external inspections of vessels and pipelines without the need for shutdown but the frequency of such inspections was increased to be performed annually. Effectively, this means higher costs but the ability to produce more without the need for associated shutdowns.
As advance preparation for processing of future third party feedstock which is expected to have a higher H2S concentration, in 2022 Nostrum initiated modification of the sulphur recovery unit to enable its future operation both in direct oxidation process mode (as operated currently for low H2S content in acid gas) and in Claus process mode (for higher H2S content in acid gas). Completion of these modifications is planned in 2023.
No significant material losses were attributable to weather and/or electricity supply issues during 2022. As of 31 December 2022, the Company had 44 production (28 oil and 16 gas condensate) wells in operation in the Chinarevskoye field.
| LPG | Dry gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | • Field-grade quality • No olefins and low sulphur content |
|
| Sales | • 100% exported • Destinations include the Russian Black Sea ports, Ukraine and Poland |
• 100% sold to NC QazaqGaz |
| Pricing | • International Mediterranean LPG price Sonatrach for Black Sea deliveries • Argus quotations for specified destinations (Ukraine, Tajikistan, Belorussia and Poland) |
• Price formula agreed until the end of 2024 |
| Transportation | • Loaded onto LPG trucks at the field site and trucked to the third-party rail loading terminal located in Zhelaevo • From here, the LPG is loaded onto railcars and sold to third parties |
• Sent through our own 17km pipeline from the field site to the connection point with the Intergas Central Asia gas pipeline • Sold at the connection point |
| 2022 | 1,650 | 13% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2,065 | 12% | ||
| 2020 | 2,795 | 13% | ||
| 2019 | 3,569 | 13% | ||
| 2018 | 3,865 | 12% |
| 2022 | 5,854 | 44% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 8,090 | 48% | ||
| 2020 | 11,065 | 50% | ||
| 2019 | 15,173 | 51% | ||
| 2018 | 15,900 | 51% |
The Chinarevskoye field (Chinarevskoye) is the only field owned by the Group. Its governing PSA is dated 1997 and the licence is valid until the end of 2031. Initial hydrocarbon discoveries at Chinarevskoye were made during the Soviet era. There have been 103 wells and side-tracks drilled under the PSA between 2004 and 2021. The licence is 100% owned by Zhaikmunai, the Group's Kazakhstan operating company.
Chinarevskoye is a multi-layer structure with 17 reservoirs and 53 compartments spread over three areas. Commercial hydrocarbons have been found in the Lower Permian, Bashkirian, Bobrikovski, Tournaisian, Frasnian, Mullinski, Ardatovski, and Biyski-Afoninski reservoirs.
Group management provided an estimate of the Chinarevskoye Proven, Probable and Possible reserves as of 31 December 2022, which was audited by the independent petroleum engineering and consulting firm
Ryder Scott (RS) and under the guidelines set forth in the 2018 Petroleum Resources Management System (SPE-PRMS). The audit covered volumes of reserves, production and discounted future net income estimated by management.
Production and future net income were derived from a drilling and well intervention programme to extract the estimated Proven, Probable and Possible reserves at a long-term Brent benchmark average oil price of US\$80 for 2023, US\$77 for 2024 and US\$75 from 2025 onwards. However, execution of the programme to recover the 2P reserves is dependent on Nostrum successfully identifying low risk drilling targets, and to this end seismic and geological work is ongoing, there is no guarantee that the Group will be able to achieve this, which could have a material impact on the Group's ability to develop the remaining Proven and Probable Reserves at Chinarevskoye.
Total 2P (Proven plus Probable) reserves are 28.3 mmboe as of 31 December 2022, this represents a reserves replacement ratio of 78% after adjusting for reservoir production of 4.9 mmboe in 2022. The net reduction in reserves in the year is due to poorer-thanexpected production from the Biyski-Afoninski North-East reservoir gas reserves but being partially offset by better production associated from other producing horizons and the 2022 workover and rigless intervention campaign. The Proven and Probable reserves volume requires 17 CAPEX interventions of which five are rigless, with an additional twelve OPEX well interventions for production maintenance (2021: 34.0 mmboe requiring 17 CAPEX interventions).
Management's estimates of reserves of 31st December 2022 and a comparison with the reserves of 31st December 2021 are summarised in Table 1.
| 2022 | 2021 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total PDP | 19.0 | 24.8 | -5.8 |
| Total PUD/PDNP | 1.2 | 1.4 | -0.2 |
| Total 1P | 20.2 | 26.2 | -6.0 |
| Total Probable | 8.1 | 8.1 | 0 |
| Total 2P | 28.3 | 34.3 | -6.0 |
| Possible | 8.5 | 9.7 | -1.2 |
| Total 3P | 36.8 | 44.0 | -7.2 |
Note: Barrel of oil equivalent (boe) totals are management estimates using a conversion factor of 5.327 mcf/boe.

The Total 1P (Proven) reserves for Chinarevskoye at December 31st 2022 was 20.2 mmboe or 6.0 mmboe down year-onyear due to 2022 production and poorer than expected performance in the Biyski-Afoninski North-East gas condensate reservoir which was partially offset by a positive revision in other reservoirs due to well performance and successful workovers and rigless interventions. 1P reserves volumes are comprised of 19.0 mmboe for Proven, Developed Producing (PDP) from 44 current wells and 1.2 mmboe for the Proven, Undeveloped (PUD) category which assumes the deepening of 1 well, the sidetracking of another and one workover.
The current Probable Undeveloped case drilling assumes 7 interventions including two workover recompletions, side-tracking of four existing wells, and one new vertical well in the Bashkirian reservoir. The Company has suspended all drilling on the field since 2020 and has since executed a targeted well workover and rigless well intervention programme to offset some of the field production decline.

In 2023, Nostrum plans to continue this workover and well intervention programme by targeting a limited number of reserves development wells along with production maintenance, and re-commence the drilling programme later in the year. This programme, together with the 44 existing producers, cover the estimated 2P reserves as at 31 December 2022. It should also be noted that there has been some decrease in volumes in undeveloped reservoirs associated with delays in the re-start of the drilling campaign.
Possible reserves of 8.5 mmboe as at 31 December 2022 (2021: 9.7 mmboe) are attributed to lower declines than the Proven and Probable cases in existing producers and 11 well interventions, the difference to the previous year, in addition to the production, reflects the 2022 workover results i.e., one well upgraded to PDP and one removed (failure in Ch-218).
Table 2 shows the breakdown of each reserves category by products.
| Fluid | Unit | Proven Producing (PDP) |
Proven Non-Producing & Undeveloped (PDNP & PUD) |
Total Proven (1P) |
Probable (P2) |
Total Proven plus Probable (2P) |
Possible (P3) |
Total Proven, Probable and Possible (3P) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil/condensate | barrels | 8,348,769 | 904,886 | 9,253,655 | 3,945,225 | 13,198,880 | 4,434,743 | 17,633,623 |
| Plant products (LPG) | barrels | 2,167,716 | 87,635 | 2,255,351 | 791,036 | 3,046,387 | 818,083 | 3,864,470 |
| Gas (after shrink) | mmcf | 45,107 | 1,225 | 46,332 | 18,132 | 64,464 | 17,106 | 81,570 |
| Gas (after shrink) | boe | 8,449,096 | 249,275 | 8,698,371 | 3,404,084 | 12,102,455 | 3,211,380 | 15,313,835 |
| Total | boe | 18,965,581 | 1,241,796 | 20,207,377 | 8,140,345 | 28,347,722 | 8,464,216 | 36,811,928 |
The breakdown by reservoir is given in Table 3. A summary and comparison of the workover and drilling programme by reservoir is given in Table 4.
| 31 December 2022 | 31 December 2021 | Change | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservoir | Proven, mmboe |
Probable, mmboe |
Possible, mmboe |
3P, mmboe |
Proven, mmboe |
Probable, mmboe |
Possible, mmboe |
3P, mmboe |
Proven, mmboe |
Probable, mmboe |
Possible, mmboe |
3P, mmboe |
| Biyski/Afoninski NE | 7.9 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 11.7 | 11.5 | 1.9 | 1.1 | 14.5 | -3.6 | 0.1 | 0.7 | -2.8 |
| Tournaisian NE | 7.3 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 11.2 | 8.9 | 3.1 | 1.6 | 13.6 | -1.6 | -0.6 | -0.2 | -2.4 |
| Frasnian N | 0.6 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 4.2 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 2.8 | 3.5 | 0.2 | 0.6 | -0.2 | 0.7 |
| Ardatovski NE | 2.0 | 1.8 | 0.1 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 1.8 | 0.3 | 4.6 | -0.5 | 0.0 | -0.2 | -0.6 |
| Filippovski | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.9 | 1.4 | -0.1 | 0.0 | -0.1 | -0.2 |
| Tournaisian South | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.1 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.9 | 1.8 | -0.4 | -0.2 | -0.2 | -0.7 |
| Mullinski NE | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 1.0 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 1.8 | -0.1 | -0.1 | -0.7 | -0.8 |
| Bashkirian NE & W | 0.6 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 0.1 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Tournaisian West | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.1 | -0.1 | 0.0 |
| Mullinski South | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.3 | -0.3 |
| Bobrikovski South | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.2 |
| Ardatovski S | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.4 | -0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | -0.2 |
| Mullinski North | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Total | 20.2 | 8.1 | 8.5 | 36.8 | 26.2 | 8.1 | 9.7 | 44.0 | -6.0 | 0.0 | -1.2 | -7.2 |
2P reserves are estimated at 9.9 mmboe, down by 3.5 mmboe compared to 2021-year end (13.4 mmboe) which includes 2.3 mmboe of production in 2022 and a 1.2 mmboe negative revision due to observed gas performance in 2022.
Gas lift was introduced into 2 more wells in 2022 to maintain production with increasing water-gas ratio and a further 5 wells are planned in 2023-2024, predominantly through low cost rigless interventions and using the planned expanded Gas lift system due for commissioning later in 2023.
Probable and Possible Developed volumes are attributed to existing producing wells, with lower declines interpreted respectively. No new drilling is planned in this reservoir. The 2019 Schlumberger study concluded that the potential of further infill drilling is limited, which corresponds with management's opinion.
The Tournaisian North-East has a total 2P of 9.8 mmboe at 2022-year end, representing a 2.2 mmboe decline year-on year, including 1.5 mmboe production and a 0.7 mmboe negative revision to reflect recent well performance.
Proven Undeveloped volumes are associated with one deepening and one sidetrack well in 2023-2024 whilst Probable Undeveloped Reserves are associated with one sidetrack producer, one waterflood sidetrack and two workover recompletions for the extension of the water-flood all in the period of 2023-2025. The Possible Undeveloped workover in well Ch-218 was a failure and removed from the reserves. Production maintenance workovers are planned in the reservoir in the years up to and including 2027.
There was a small positive revision in the Tournaisian West 2P to 0.4 mmboe from 0.3 mmboe year-on-year despite 0.05 mmboe production, this was due to the successful workover of the Possible Undeveloped well Ch-204, converting to PDP.
In the Tournaisian South, there are limited PDP volumes associated with the three remaining producers and Possible reserves associated with one new well currently planned for 2026.
Proven Producing volumes are associated with three current producers. One Probable Undeveloped side-track well is planned for the Ardatovski North-East reservoir in 2025. No further reserves development is planned for the Ardatovski South reservoir, beyond the current producer.
2P reserves are estimated at 1.64 mmboe at year end 2022, an increase of 0.88 mmboe compared to 2021-year end (0.74 mmboe) despite 0.21 mmboe of production in 2022; this reflects the better than expected well performance of the existing producer Ch-40_1 and Probable Undeveloped reserves being attributed to well Ch-41_1_1, expected to be online in 2024, based on the well performance and review of the seismic and geological data.
The development plan still foresees three additional Possible Undeveloped sidetracks planned for 2024-2025.
Proven Developed Producing reserves remain for three wells, two in the North-East and one in the North respectively. Proven Undeveloped volumes are attributed to one new well in the North-East block and planned for drilling in 2024.
Two Possible Undeveloped category well locations have been identified in the North-East block and are side-tracks of existing wells, while one new Possible well is planned for drilling in the Mullinski South. All three wells are planned for 2024-2026.
PDP reserves remain for two wells produced via Electric Submersible Pumps (ESPs). One Probable Undeveloped new vertical well is proposed in the Bashkirian North-East from 2025.
Five low-cost workover recompletions (one Probable and four Possible) have been identified for the Filippovski reservoir. These are planned, subject to further technical and economic evaluation, to be carried out in 2024, i.e., a delay of about 1 year compared to the previous report.
PUD volumes are assigned to well Ch-31 after a successful 2022 workover recompletion when Gas lift was installed (previously PUD).
| 31 December 2022 | 31 December 2021 | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reservoir | Proven wells |
Probable wells |
Possible wells |
Total | Proven wells |
Probable wells |
Possible wells |
Appraisal | Total |
| Biyski/Afoninski NE | 1 | − | − | 1 | 1 | − | − | − | 1 |
| Tournaisian NE – oil | 2 | 1 | − | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | − | 4 |
| Tournaisian NE – WI | − | 3 | − | 3 | − | 3 | − | − | 3 |
| Tournaisian South | − | − | 1 | 1 | − | − | 1 | − | 1 |
| Tournaisian West | − | − | − | − | − | − | 1 | − | 1 |
| Mullinski South | − | − | 1 | 1 | − | − | 1 | − | 1 |
| Mullinski North | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − |
| Mullinski NE | 1 | − | 2 | 3 | 1 | − | 2 | − | 3 |
| Bashkirian NE & W | − | 1 | − | 1 | − | 1 | − | − | 1 |
| Ardatovski NE | − | 1 | − | 1 | − | 1 | − | − | 1 |
| Ardatovski S | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − |
| Frasnian N | − | 1 | 3 | 4 | − | − | 3 | − | 3 |
| Filippovski | − | 1 | 4 | 5 | − | 1 | 4 | − | 5 |
| Bobrikovski South | − | − | − | − | 1 | − | − | − | 1 |
| Appraisal | − | − | − | − | − | − | 5 | 5 | |
| Total | 4 | 8 | 11 | 23 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 30 |



Over the last 17 years, we have built a world-class infrastructure processing hub that is currently underutilised but that can support the production and sale of billions of cubic meters of gas in north-western Kazakhstan for years to come.
The oil treatment facility (OTF) has a maximum throughput capacity of 400,000 tonnes per annum. The OTF associated infrastructure includes a gas-lift facility that was commissioned in 2015 and a liquid hydrocarbons pumping station transferring crude oil and stabilised condensate via the liquids pipeline to the rail loading terminal. In 2022, 1.179 mmboe of oil and 0.937 mmboe of condensate was transferred through the pipeline. Up to 640,000 cubic meters of recycled lift-gas per day was compressed and made available to enhance oil production, with modifications to the existing system whilst the gas lift expansion was being realised.
The gas treatment facility (GTF) is designed to treat raw gas from gas condensate reservoirs (and the associated gas coming from the OTF) into condensate, LPG and dry gas with a by-product of granulated sulphur. The gas treatment facility includes three gas treatment units (GTU1,2 & 3) which have the capacity to treat 4.2 billion cubic metres of raw gas per annum.
Following repair of the turboexpander module completed at the end of 2021, in 2022 Nostrum started activities on turboexpander re-installation and modification of GTU-3 facility with a target to enable its operation with a lower turndown feedstock volume and explore possibility to utilise additional LPG yield generated by turboexpander operation. The completion of these activities is planned in Q3 2023.
A gas lift system has been installed to enhance well production; its current installed capacity is 23,000 standard cubic metres per hour with a plan to further increase to 38,000 standard cubic metres per hour in Q2 2023 as future demand is expected to increase as the Chinarevskoye field matures.
A low-pressure system has been installed to facilitate the reduction of the GTF inlet pressure from 42 to 10 bar, so as to prolong the run-life of wells, primarily gascondensate. Installed capacity of gas compression is 48,000 standard cubic metres per hour in total with 19 wells flowing through the low-pressure system as of the end of 2022.
The gas-fired power generation plant is linked to the GTF and has an output capacity of 26 megawatts electrical power. The generation capacity of the plant is sufficient to meet the existing and maximum need in the future if the plant is run at its maximum capacity. Backup generation capacity of up to 15 megawatts is available at the processing facilities.
Nostrum has over 35,000 cubic metres of storage capacity for liquids at its field site and rail loading terminal.
Nostrum has its own 17 km dry gas pipeline which is linked to the Orenburg-Novopskov gas pipeline. The pipeline has sufficient capacity to export the entire GTF maximum production capacity dry gas volumes.
Nostrum has its own 120 km liquids pipeline that runs from the field to the Company's rail loading terminal near Uralsk. The pipeline has a maximum annual throughput capacity of over three million tonnes.
Nostrum has its own automated rail loading terminal at Beles, located near the city of Uralsk, that receives all produced crude oil and condensate and has a capacity of approximately four million tonnes of liquid hydrocarbons per annum.
Nostrum has constructed a secondary crude oil pipeline to enable export sales from its rail loading terminal via the Atyrau-Samara export pipeline operated by KazTransOil (KTO). The connection to the KTO pipeline has enhanced the Company's ability to maximise crude oil netbacks through the commodity cycle.

The Group has a system of internal controls consisting of its governance framework, segregation of authorities and duties, various policies and procedures, training and internal communications as well as monitoring by senior management and the Board of the planning and decision- making processes. The risk management system is embedded in these components of the system of internal controls in order to identify, manage and report on the relevant risks that may impact achievement of the Group's strategic objectives,and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
The Board, supported by the Audit Committee and senior management, has ultimate responsibility for risk management and internal control, including responsibility for the determination of the nature and extent of the principal risks it is willing to take to achieve its strategic objectives, and for ensuring that an appropriate risk-awareness culture has been embedded throughout the Group.
Operational day-to-day risks are inherent in the various business functions and processes of the Group. These are categorised as business function risks and are identified and managed by the relevant staff and managers in the course of their activities to ensure safety, compliance, and efficiency. The members of the Senior Management Team have overall responsibility for managing such business function risks aggregated at the level of their functional responsibility, but can delegate such responsibilities to their direct reports. At the highest level the identified risks are aggregated and categorised into the following categories of principal risks and uncertainties: strategic, operational, financial, compliance and other, which are respectively managed and monitored at Board level.
Based on risk registers, related analysis and discussions, senior management and the Board periodically review previously identified significant risks, update their likelihood of occurrence and potential impact, and identify potential new significant risks emerging as a result of the changing environment. These significant risks are discussed in more detail below in the Principal Risks and Uncertainties section.
In 2022, the processes related to risk management and internal control systems were consistent with the UK Corporate Governance Code and FRC Guidance on Risk Management, Internal Control and Related Financial and Business Reporting issued in September 2014.
Following the end of 2022, the Board continues to monitor closely internal control over financial reporting and the related party identification and disclosure processes.
ESG matters form an integral part of the areas covered by the Group's systems of risk management and internal controls, and the Board recognises their significance and importance. Identified ESG risks and related responses can be seen within Operational, Climate Change and Other risks in the "Principal risks and uncertainties" disclosure on pages 40–44.
The Board receives appropriate information for managing such risks. Management is responsible for ensuring that systems of risk management and internal control are in place to effectively manage and monitor energy risks and other ESG matters. More detailed disclosure on the established policies and procedures in these areas can be found on pages 54–87.
In 2022, the principal risks and uncertainties managed and monitored by the Board and senior management included most of the risks for 2021 and for which the related risk assessments did not change significantly.

During 2022, the Group did not have a dedicated internal audit function, as was the case for the past few years where the Group has relied on third party audits and ad-hoc audits/process reviews performed by employees and overseen by management with results reported into the relevant Board committee. To mitigate this exposure, the Group has identified and strengthened internal processes providing assurance to management, the Audit Committee and the Board about the effectiveness of systems of internal control and risk management, such as contracts Board meetings, monthly reports to the Board on operations, liquidity and legal issues and assurance provided by QHSE and security personnel. The Group planned to hire a dedicated Head of Internal audit in 2022 and had approved budget for such hire, however due to delay in the restructuring process this has been postponed until 2023.
Strategic risks
The Group's operations are exposed to risks associated with the political and business environment in Kazakhstan, being the Group's sole country of commercial operations, as well as its neighbouring countries.
In January 2022, following a rise in fuel prices, certain mass demonstrations and gatherings occurred in various cities across Kazakhstan. Such political and civil unrest and the occurrence of any such factors could result in new regulatory requirements that can be onerous and expensive, and other related changes that could have a material and adverse effect on the Group's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
On the one hand, Nostrum has historically benefited from its geo-strategic position in the heart of an export corridor between Russia and markets to the west of the Caspian, but on the other hand, the Group has been respectively exposed to the risks associated with the economic and political situation in Russia, being reliant on its transport routes and ports. Severe sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by, among others, the US, UK and EU on Russia in March 2022 as a response to Russia's actions in Ukraine, have increased the economic and political uncertainty and may have a material adverse impact on the Group's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Nostrum's Senior Management Team is pro-actively engaged with key stakeholders among state authorities to address and resolve any potential issues at early stages. In addition, the Group endeavours to identify legislative changes at early stages before their introduction and to the extent possible participate in the relevant working groups engaged in development of such changes.
To mitigate geopolitical, regional and customer risks, the Group continues to strengthen customer relationships through establishing long-term off-take agreements whilst also looking at possibilities to geographically diversify its customer portfolio.
The Group is currently analysing the impact of sanctions imposed on Russia on its transportation of crude oil, condensate and LPG via rail or pipeline, and also assessing alternative routes and destinations as a potential mitigating action, if needed.
Due to the US, UK and EU sanctions, the senior management and the Board have also decided that it would be in the best interest of the Group to terminate its relationships with the Sberbank subsidiary in Kazakhstan. In addition, the Group is also evaluating and implementing control processes and procedures around compliance with the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus as well as institutions and individuals specifically identified in those sanctions. These include evaluation of counterparties and their banks, contract procedures, and liaising with external legal advisers.
Such actions also include collating and regularly updating lists of all persons/ entities sanctioned in order to ensure Nostrum does not enter into transactions with any of the persons/entities on these lists.
The Group's operations and financial performance are exposed to changes in the market prices for its products driven by external business and political factors, which are outside the Group's control.
Oil and gas prices are subject to volatility due to a variety of factors beyond the Group's control. Factors affecting crude oil prices include supply and demand fundamentals, economic outlooks, production quotas set by OPEC and political events. In recent years, as a result of factors including weaker outlook for global demand growth combined with excess supply, oil and gas prices worldwide have been subject to significant volatility and there can be no assurance that the recent recovery in oil prices or the recent high gas prices relative to historical averages will continue for extended periods of time.
Since the selling price of dry gas is directly dependent on the price of crude oil price and the price of oil is volatile, the Company could also face volatility in the price of dry gas, which was over 43% in 2022. Also, the Group could be compelled by governmental authorities, purportedly acting based on RoK legislation, to sell its oil, condensate, LPG and gas domestically at prices determined by the RoK Government, which could be significantly lower than prices which the Group could otherwise achieve.
Lower oil and gas prices may reduce the economic viability of the Group's operations and proposed operations and materially adversely affect its business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. In particular, the Group's ability to produce economically from the Chinarevskoye Field or any prospective fields will be determined, in large part, by the difference between the revenue received for its products and the operating costs, taxation costs, royalties and costs incurred in transporting and selling those products.
The Group's strategy and business model are not directly influenced by any significant risk resulting from Brexit.
The Group quarterly revisits the product price assumptions used in its short-term, medium-term and long-term financial models, and performs stress testing of such forecasts to fluctuations in product prices and these are monitored by senior management and the Board.
In early 2020, given the uncertainties caused by a low oil price environment, the Group took prudent, mitigating actions to protect liquidity. These included cancelling uncommitted capital expenditures and identifying reductions in operating costs, general and administrative, and selling and transportation costs that could be implemented without having a negative impact on production or operations in the going concern period.
The Group continued these optimisation initiatives throughout 2022 and as a result is now able to withstand a period of prolonged low oil prices. Also, senior management constantly monitors the Group's exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes and makes plans for necessary measures.
In previous years, the Group has entered into hedging instruments to mitigate the volatility of commodity prices. The last such instrument expired in 2018. In 2022 the Group has produced a draft hedging policy and updated its relationships with multiple financial institutions which would allow for hedges to be placed. In light of the favourable commodity pricing environment, backwardation of the forward oil price curve, cash resources available to meet its operational and capital requirements for the next fiscal year and other factors the Board has not taken the decision to enter into any hedges in 2022.
The activities in the Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field are currently the Group's sole source of revenue. The field is a mature declining asset with a proved and probable reserves base at a level that will produce volumes of hydrocarbons including raw gas sufficient to utilise the less than 15 percent of capacity available at the Group's gas treatment facilities, which have a combined 4.2 billion cubic meters capacity per annum.
The Company is therefore reliant on acquiring and developing nearby assets with significant resource potential and/or processing third party gas through its processing facilities to continue to produce free cash flows and build sufficient cash reserves to repay future indebtedness. The ability to negotiate and secure these strategic acquisitions is highly uncertain and the ability to fund the development of such projects, the costs of which may be substantial and require external funding, may not materialise.
Oil and gas exploration and production activities are capital intensive and subject to financing limitations and inherent uncertainty in their outcome. Further, significant expenditure is required to establish the extent of oil and gas reserves through seismic re-processing and mapping, other surveys as well as drilling. Therefore, there can be no certainty that further commercial quantities of oil and gas will be discovered at Chinarevskoye or acquired by the Group to enable it to utilise the spare capacity in its treatment facilities.
From the end of 2019, the Board came to the conclusion that diversification of its sources of feedstock to the processing facilities would provide the Group with an opportunity to gain from expanding the use of available capacities, technological resources and human capital, and ultimately benefit from its underutilised infrastructure.
The Group signed agreements with Ural O&G in 2018 for the purchase of gas and processing of condensate from the Rozhkovskoye field for a period of four years with first deliveries planned for Q4 2023.
The Group decided to prepare fully the GTU/3 plant for receiving future gas and a special project team was assigned. Completion of this scope, including upgrade of the Sulphur Recovery Unit allowing treatment of different concentrations of H2S, will be ready before first hydrocarbons of UOG will enter the Chinarevkoye facilities.
The Group continues to actively engage in discussions with other third parties interested in supplying raw gas to completely fill its spare processing capacity.
In March 2023, Nostrum agreed to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLP, which holds the subsoil use right to the "Stepnoy Leopard Fields" in the West Kazakhstan region for US\$20 million. Management estimates that the Stepnoy Leopard Fields hold between 50 mmboe and 150 mmboe of recoverable volumes which are considered contingent resources, with over 20% estimated to be liquids. If the proposed acquisition completes, Nostrum plans to implement an appraisal programme in 2023, with the intention of preparing a technical expert's report which could allow re-classification of certain of the hydrocarbon resources into reserves.
Also, the Group has a number of additional area-wide opportunities under review that may serve to strengthen the Group's upstream and midstream portfolio in the coming years.
Estimating the value and quantity of economically recoverable oil and natural gas reserves and resources, and consequently the rates of production, necessarily depend upon a number of variables and assumptions, such as ultimate reserves recovery, interpretation of geological and geophysical data, marketability of oil and gas, future product prices, operating costs, development and production costs and workover and remedial costs, all of which may vary from actual results, which would affect the Group's financial performance and achievement of strategic objectives. The reclassifications of significant amounts of reserves from 2P to contingent resources in 2020-2021 were the result of crystallising of such risks.
Even if the Group is able to discover or acquire commercial quantities of oil and gas in the future, there can be no assurance that these will be commercially developed. Appraisal and development activities involving the drilling of wells across a field may be unpredictable and may not result in the outcome planned, targeted or predicted, as only by extensive testing can the properties of an entire field be more fully understood.
Completion of the Group's development plans does not ensure a profit on the investment or recovery of drilling, completion and operating costs, as various field operating conditions may adversely affect production from successful wells including delays in obtaining governmental approvals, shut ins of connected wells, other unusual or unexpected geological, oceanographic and mechanical conditions.
Finally, given that the Chinarevskoye reservoir is a mature and declining asset, the Group has been actively performing well workover and interventions to reduce the rate of decline of the reservoirs. Such activities, as well as construction, operation and maintenance of surface facilities, are subject to various risks, including the availability of adequate services, technologies and expertise, which may adversely affect the fulfilment of the Group's strategic objectives.
The Group has a department of geologists and reservoir engineers who perform periodic assessments of its oil and gas reserves in accordance with international standards on reserve estimations and prepare production forecasting using advanced exploration risk and resource assessment systems. The results of the assessments are audited by the Group's independent reserves consultant, Ryder Scott.
For well workover activities, the Group engages skilled personnel and leading service suppliers, as well as employing internationally accredited operations and cost monitoring systems, based on which management oversees the work progress. The Group continued its well workover and intervention programme in 2022 to minimise the production decline and this will be continued in 2023 as the field gets older and equipment requiring more regular maintenance. In addition, a start was made with the gas lift expansion project, requiring an additional compressor to increase lift gas availability for both oil and gas condensate wells. Due to geopolitical reasons, some delays in manufacturing and logistics will result that the scope will be completed in the second quarter of 2023.
Maintenance of wells and surface facilities is scheduled in advance, in accordance with technical requirements, and all necessary preparations are performed in a timely manner ensuring a high quality of work. In addition, the Group has emergency response and disaster recovery plans in place and periodically conducts necessary training and testing procedures.
Nostrum may be vulnerable to the unauthorised or inappropriate access to data, or the unlawful use, disclosure, disruption, deletion, corruption, modification, inspection, recording, or devaluation of information. Such cybersecurity failures may significantly adversely affect the Group's operations and financial results through disruptions, shutdowns and delays in production and other activities. The Group uses a number of dashboards such as MS Secure and MS Compliance, which monitor security and compliance, and also help to identify areas where security might be enhanced. At the start of employment each new employee is briefed on the Group's Information Security Policy and signs a confidentiality agreement. All mailboxes and data are placed on Microsoft servers with appropriate levels of protection. Passwords have complexity requirement and double authorisation has been introduced for most users. All data traffic, servers and computers are subject to scanning and protection by anti-virus software. Physical access to data storages is restricted to authorised personnel.
The Group's operations are subject to hazards and risks common in its industry, including encountering unusual or unexpected rock formations or geological pressures, fires, explosions or power shortages, equipment failures or accidents, premature declines in reservoirs, blowouts, uncontrollable flows of oil, gas or well fluids, or water cut levels, pollution and other environmental risks.
Failure to prevent or adequately mitigate these hazards can have a broad range of results, including, but not limited to, injury of employees or local residents, a partial or total shutdown of operations, significant damage to equipment, suspension or withdrawal of licences and relevant sanctions. Any of the above could materially and adversely affect the Group's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
It should also be noted that the legal framework for operational safety is not yet fully developed in Kazakhstan and given the changing nature of environmental regulations, there is a risk that the Group will not be in full compliance with all such regulations at all times.
The Group's QHSE policies are periodically revised to ensure compliance with changes and new requirements in this area. Periodic training on the requirements of policies and regulations is held for employees. Nostrum's operations are based on the five QHSE pillars: HSE leadership; rigorous incident investigation; process safety-critical elements identified and maintained; contractor HSE management; and environment and climate change.
Monthly QHSE reports are issued to communicate HSE performance. Management KPIs include lost time injury frequency, road traffic injury frequency, total recordable injury frequency and numbers of Hazard Observation Cards submitted as well as managing reduction of GHG emissions from our operations
Through the system of Hazard Observation Cards, employees and contractors report any unsafe conditions observed in the workplace, which helps to ensure their awareness of safe working conditions at all times. All incidents are investigated, their causes identified and corrective action plans developed.
There is a classification of equipment as critical or non-critical. Safety critical elements are devices, equipment or systems that are required to ensure process conditions are maintained within safe operating limits, or the purpose of which is to prevent malfunctioning. For example, devices are installed at well-sites to automatically close the wells in the case of shutdown, preventing blowdown by flaring.
Contractor HSE performance is managed by identifying and mitigating risks, setting HSE performance criteria, monitoring, auditing and reporting HSE performance, and subsequently using this information for continuous development and feedback into the process of contractor selection.
By virtue of being a dual-listed entity, Nostrum must adhere to both UK and Republic of Kazakhstan corporate governance and reporting requirements. Governance risk factors are usually related to board composition and structure, executive remuneration, internal controls and risk management framework, corporate policies and procedures, risks of corruption and bribery, and others.
Lack of adequate controls and policies, or a failure of those to operate effectively, could lead to loss of company resources, non-compliance with regulations, and respective significant fines, penalties, as well as reputational damage.
As described on pages 96–98, the Group has established a robust governance framework which covers all aspects of the Group's activities through respective Board committees and functional teams under senior management. Although the composition of the Board and its committees was not ideal during the reporting period due to the transition period, compensating controls and procedures were put in place such as additional scrutiny over the Board decisions and more frequent Board meetings.
The corporate governance framework is supported by an extensive range of policies and procedures covering division of responsibilities, bribery, corruption and whistle-blowing, anti-facilitation of tax evasion, as described on page 98 and various other policies and practices related to social and environmental matters described across other section of the report. Such policies and procedures are designed and implemented to ensure that all required compliance obligations are met.
The Group's operations are subject to environmental risks inherent in oil and gas exploration and production industries. Examples of environmental risks include risks stemming from more intense extreme weather events, rising energy intensity in the oil and gas industry, the changing regulatory landscape, the risk of fugitive emissions and climate change policies driving down demand.
Compliance with environmental regulations may make it necessary for the Group, at substantial cost, to undertake measures in connection with the storage, handling, transportation, treatment or disposal of hazardous materials and waste and the remediation of contamination.
In addition, the legal framework for environmental protection and operational safety is not yet fully developed in Kazakhstan. Stricter environmental requirements may be adopted in the near future, and the environmental authorities may move towards a stricter interpretation of existing legislation. The costs associated with compliance with such regulations could have a material adverse effect on the Group's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Continued attention to climate change issues by governments, investors and customers and relevant developments in laws and regulations, investor and customer preferences may have significant adverse impact on the Group's business.
New requirements, laws, policies and regulations may result in substantial additional expenditures on capital construction, compliance, operations and maintenance. The level of expenditure required to comply with these laws and regulations is uncertain.
In addition, any perceived weakness in environment related policies, procedures and efforts, sub-optimal assessment by an ESG rating agency and comparison to peers, might adversely impact the Group's access to capital markets, reduce ability to raise additional financing, increase financing costs and have a negative impact on the Group's business plans and financial performance.
As the Group performs exploration, development and production activities in accordance with related licences for the oil and gas fields, there are related risks that the Group might not be able to obtain extensions or agree amendments to the field development plan, when necessary, risks of non-compliance with the licence requirements owing to ambiguities, risks of alteration of the licence terms by the authorities and others. These risks may result in the Group's inability to fulfil scheduled activities; fines, penalties, suspension or termination of licences by authorities; and, respectively, significant and adverse impact on the Group's business, financial performance and prospects.
The Group carries out its activities in a number of jurisdictions and, therefore, must comply with a range of laws and regulations, which exposes the Group to the respective risks of non-compliance. In addition, the Group must comply with the Listing Rules, the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, FRC guidance and requirements, as well as requirements in connection with its restructured debt, in light of its publicly traded shares and notes. Hence, there are non-compliance risks, including reputational, litigation and government sanction risks, to which the Group is exposed.
The impact of these risks may vary in magnitude and include regulatory actions, fines and penalties by authorities, diversion of management time, and may have an overall adverse effect on the Group's performance and activities towards achieving its strategic objectives.
The Group actively plans and manages projects designed to mitigate certain
environment-related risks. Limiting GHG emissions is a management KPI. The Group's operations continuously put effort and commitment into improving
energy efficiency, reducing flaring, venting and leaks, and monitoring and effectively managing emissions and waste. Also, the Group has recently started recycling utilised water at the campsite.
The Senior Management Team actively evaluates opportunities to further adapt and implement cost-effective mitigation measures.
The ESG Committee currently has responsibility for ESG related matters.
During 2022, the Company issued on its website the "Methane Statement" and developed an "Energy Efficiency report" with short, medium and long term ESG targets.
The Group is actively planning and managing projects designed to mitigate certain climate change related risks. For instance:
Climate change is on the Board's agenda. The Senior Management Team actively evaluates opportunities to further adapt and implement cost- effective mitigation measures.
The Group has procedures and processes in place for the timely application for extension of licence periods or for amendments to the field development plan, when it is considered appropriate however, uncertainty remains in relation to timing and results of decisions of authorities. The Group maintains an open dialogue with RoK governmental authorities regarding its subsoil use agreement. In the event of non-compliance with a provision of the agreement, the Group endeavours to have such terms modified and pays any penalties and fines that may apply.
For the purpose of effective corporate governance and compliance with laws, regulations and rules, the Group has adopted a number of policies and procedures, as mentioned above. The Group also performs periodic updates based on the changes in regulatory requirements and carries out related communications and training for employees.
Necessary communication lines are established with authorities to ensure timely and adequate inbound and outbound flow of information. Management and the Board monitor significant matters related to legal and compliance matters in order to act promptly in response to any actions. In addition, management maintains an open dialogue with its sponsors in relation to any matter related to noncompliance with Listing Rules and other regulatory requirements.
| Description of risk | Risk management | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial risks | ||||||
| Liquidity risks | ||||||
| Forecasting to maintain an adequate liquidity position is subject to the risk that inaccurate information or assumptions are used for forecasts, and to risks of counterparty delay or a counterparty's failure to meet |
Management and the Board constantly monitor the Group's actual and forecast liquidity position to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet any commitments as they arise. |
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| their contractual obligations owing to severe market conditions. Moreover, the Group's current and planned expenditures are subject to unexpected problems, costs and delays, and the economic results and actual costs may differ significantly from the Group's current estimates. Prices for the materials and services the Group depends on to conduct and expand its business may increase to levels that |
In addition, management and the Board assess key financial ratios, sensitivity tests of its liquidity position for changes in crude oil price, production volumes and timing of completion of various ongoing projects, to understand the resilience of the business and to be prepared for taking necessary remedies. Further efforts are made on cost optimisation to reduce capital expenditures, |
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| no longer enable the Group to operate profitably. | operating costs and general and administration costs. | |||||
| All the above factors in combination with a significant negative movement in world energy prices could result in the Group's liquidity position becoming more strained than the severe but plausible downside scenario in the Going Concern assessment. |
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| Refinancing risks | ||||||
| In February 2023, the Group completed the implementation of the restructuring after obtaining all required licenses and approvals. As a result, the Group debt principal outstanding was reduced from |
The Board notes that uncertainty remains related to the Group's ability to repay/ meet its liabilities, including the repayment of its Notes due in 2026 and the risk that the Group may require refinancing in 2026. |
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| US\$1.125bn to US\$550mn maturing in June 2026. The remaining portion of existing notes converted into the Company's equity and the existing ordinary shareholders were diluted to 11.11%, subject to further dilution if the warrants held by existing noteholders are exercised. |
Relevant considerations were made as part of the viability assessment as described on pages 45-46. |
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| Tax risks and uncertainties | ||||||
| The uncertainty of application, including retroactive application, of tax laws and the evolution of tax laws in Kazakhstan create risks related to additional tax liabilities from assessments and risks related |
The Group has policies and procedures related to various tax assessments and positions, as well as other control activities to ensure the timely assessment and filing of tax returns, payment of tax obligations and recovery of tax assets. |
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| to the recoverability of tax assets. Kazakhstan's tax legislation and regulations are subject to ongoing changes and varying interpretations. Instances of inconsistent opinions between local, regional, and national tax authorities are not unusual. The current regime of penalties and interest related to reported and discovered violations of Kazakhstan's tax laws are severe and where the tax authorities disagree with the positions taken by the Group the financial outcomes could be material. Fiscal periods remain open to review by tax authorities for five calendar years preceding the year of review. Under certain circumstances reviews may cover longer periods. |
The Group regularly challenges, either with the RoK tax authorities or through the RoK courts, tax assessments that it believes are inapplicable to it, pursuant to the terms of either its subsoil use agreements or applicable law. |
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| Tax risks and uncertainties may adversely affect the Group's | ||||||
| profitability, liquidity and planned growth. | ||||||
| Other risks | ||||||
| Other significant risks, including emerging risks | ||||||
| Other risks are those that are not specifically identified within any of the principal risks and uncertainties but may be related to several such areas or be organisation wide. These include risks related to: |
The Group has an Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy, and provisions relating to the same are included in the Group's Code of Conduct. Related training and updates are periodically provided for employees in relation to their obligations in this area. |
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| • Fraudulent activities; • The Group's supply chains; • Accounting and reporting management systems; or • The availability of human resources. They may also significantly impact the Group's financial performance, |
The Group has a wide range of internal controls over its supply chains and accounting and reporting processes, including policies, procedures, segregation of duties for authorisation of matters, periodic training for employees and so on. The Contracts Board was established to meet weekly to review and approve the placement of all contracts or expenditures with a potential value in excess of \$10,000. |
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| reputation and achievement of its strategic objectives. | Senior management and the Board stay alert to emerging challenges related to various management systems and related governance matters and, when necessary, initiate change initiatives to ensure enhancement and integration of certain management systems. |
The risks listed above do not comprise all those associated with the Group's business and are not set out in any order of priority. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to management, or currently deemed to be less material, may also have an adverse effect on the Group's business. The risks listed above are continuously monitored by the management team and assessed when making business decisions.
In accordance with provision 31 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018, the Directors have assessed the future medium-term viability of the Group over a period longer than 12 months (see Note 1 for entities that are included in the Group). The Group's viability assessment is built through integration of the principal risks and uncertainties (described on pages 40–44) into a financial model, based on the elements of corporate planning and modelling process, which includes:
Considering the uncertainties inherent to the Group's operations as well as the medium-term development planning mentioned above, the Board concluded that a viability assessment over a three-year period to 30 June 2026 provides a robust and realistic evaluation of the Group's future performance. With this approach the Board continues to believe that the assessment:
For the purpose of our viability assessment a three-year financial model was used as a base-case scenario reflecting the following:
For the purpose of sensitivity testing, several principal risks and uncertainties were selected (from those described on pages 40–44), which were deemed to have the highest potential financial impact on the Group's future performance, taking into account prior period assessments. The effect of those principal risks and uncertainties or their combination on the base-case scenario were analysed within the following scenarios:
| Principal risk and uncertainty |
Description | Viability assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic risks | Deterioration in the business and market environment and geopolitical risks |
10% reduction in oil, LPG and gas prices over the period of assessment |
| Operational risks | Production issues from the field and/or transportation issues along the sales routes |
10% reduction in forecast production and sales volumes over the period of assessment |
| Liquidity risks | Cost pressures in the ordinary course of business supply chain and with Group personnel |
10% increase in capital expenditures and operating cost over the period of assessment |
| Compliance risks | Unexpected and unbudgeted fines and penalties for various non-compliance issues |
\$5 million per annum Work Programme non-fulfilment fines and \$10 million per annum legal claim over the period of assessment |
The Directors considered severe but plausible scenarios where a combination of two or three of the risks noted above occurred together.
The scenarios took into account the availability and likely effectiveness of any mitigating actions that might be required if the Group was exposed in the medium term to downwards volatility and that are in place or could be implemented to avoid or reduce the impact or occurrence of the underlying risks which would realistically be available to the Group in such circumstances. In considering the likely effectiveness of such actions, the conclusions of the Board's regular monitoring and review of risk and internal control systems were taken into account.
The Directors have also considered any additional risks to liquidity posed by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict:
Russia-Ukraine conflict: please refer to the "Market Review" section on page 10 for details of the Russia-Ukraine conflict and related sanctions, and the relevance to the Group's operations. Given the geographical position of the Group's operations, it is very close to the evolving situation in Ukraine. In its going concern and viability assessment, the Group sensitised its base case by adjusting for zero oil and condensate sales through Russian infrastructure; noting that even with zero sales for these products, there is forecast to be sufficient cash reserves at the end of the viability assessment period. There is currently no material impact on the Group's future viability at the time of publication of this report as a result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and resultant Russian sanctions. The Directors have concluded that even under this severe scenario modelled, the Group would have sufficient liquidity over the viability assessment period.
As per the requirements of the Taskforce on Climate-related Financial Disclosure ("TCFD"), the Directors are required to describe the resilience of the organisation's strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C or lower scenario (TCFD Strategy (c)). The Directors performed this resilience analysis in the viability assessment. The Directors chose the Sustainable Development Scenarios ("SDS") referenced in the World Energy Outlook 2021 as the preferred climate-related scenario. The specific policy measures required to limit global temperature rises to 1.65ºC by 2050 are listed on pages 84–85.
The following sensitivities were applied to the base case to quantify the policy measures per SDS: reduction in hydrocarbon demand by 10% to account for change in consumer demand, 10% product price reduction as fossil fuel demand falls, US\$2mln sulphur and other pollution compliance breaches per annum, 5% higher operating costs for CO2 taxation, 5% higher capital expenditures for facility upgrade works, upgrading the Group's LPG truck fleet and research and development into emissions reducing technology, 5% higher general & administrative costs to improve energy performance standards and 5% lower crude and condensate sales as ship chartering becomes increasingly difficult. Please refer to page 84–85 for further details of the SDS policy measures and the Group's application to the base case.
The Group maintains sufficient cash reserves at the end of the viability period when sensitising the base case for the above climate-related assumptions. Following the assessment, the Directors confirm the future strategy and future viability remain resilient against the chosen climate-related scenario.
The Directors also considered the viability of the business beyond the medium term. The new instated Notes following the conclusion of the restructuring mature in June 2026 and, under the base case scenario in the current viability assessment model, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to build up sufficient cash for repayment of majority portion of the SSNs (\$250 million) in 2026 and refinance the remaining portion of the SSNs.
Under no reasonable scenario do the Directors believe the SUNs (accruing 13.00% payment in kind interest until maturity) will be repaid in cash at maturity, and therefore reasonably expects this to either be repaid in specie through the issuance of new shares (further diluting the existing ordinary shareholders at the time) or have its maturity extended through another refinancing or restructuring exercise.
The implementation of the major strategic initiatives described on pages 18–20 will inevitably support future long-term viability of the Group, and the Directors note that this may reduce the possible requirement for refinancing of a smaller portion of the SSN at maturity in 2026 under the base case scenario, as noted above.
Considering the above, the following conclusions can be drawn from the viability assessment:
Based on these assessments and other matters considered by the Board, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue in operation and meet its restructured liabilities as they fall due through the three-year viability assessment period ending 30 June 2026, subject to possible necessity for partial refinancing or restructuring of its debt.
The table below sets forth the line items of the Group's consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 in US Dollars and as a percentage of revenue.
| In thousands of US Dollars | For the year ended 31 December | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | % of revenue | 2021 | % of revenue | ||
| Revenue | 199,717 | 100.0% | 195,285 | 100.0% | |
| Cost of sales | (84,053) | 42.1% | (87,849) | 45.0% | |
| Gross profit | 115,664 | 57.9% | 107,436 | 55.0% | |
| General and administrative expenses | (12,076) | 6.0% | (12,124) | 6.2% | |
| Selling and transportation expenses | (19,950) | 10.0% | (23,066) | 11.8% | |
| Taxes other than income tax | (19,830) | 9.9% | (17,083) | 8.7% | |
| Finance costs | (123,138) | 61.7% | (116,696) | 59.8% | |
| Employee share options – fair value adjustment | 38 | 0.0% | 247 | 0.1% | |
| Reversal of impairment on property, plant and equipment | – | 0.0% | 74,186 | 38.0% | |
| Foreign exchange gain / (loss), net | 254 | 0.1% | (285) | 0.1% | |
| Interest income | 272 | 0.1% | 319 | 0.2% | |
| Other income | 6,806 | 3.4% | 5,886 | 3.0% | |
| Other expenses | (29,821) | 14.9% | (13,218) | 6.8% | |
| Loss before income tax | (81,781) | 40.9% | 5,602 | 2.9% | |
| Income tax expense | (34,664) | 17.4% | (31,720) | 16.2% | |
| Loss for the year | (116,445) | 58.3% | (26,118) | 13.4% | |
| Currency translation difference | (490) | 0.2% | (203) | 0.1% | |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | (116,935) | 58.6% | (26,321) | 13.5% |
For the year ended 31 December 2022 (the "reporting period") the total comprehensive loss amounted to US\$ 116.9 million an increase in loss by US\$ 90.6 million from US\$ 26.3 million in 2021. The lower comprehensive loss in 2021 as compared to 2022 was mainly driven by the reversal of the impairment in 2021 in the amount of US\$74.2, which was offset by income tax expense in the current period. In addition, the Group had an increase in other expenses by US\$ 16.6 million from US\$ 13.2 million in 2021 to US\$ 29.8 million in 2022, mainly caused by the increase in other taxes and penalties, which was partially offset by the increase in revenues primarily resulting from higher hydrocarbon prices, as well as lower operating costs and selling and transportation expenses have also contributed to the decrease in loss during the reporting period as compared to 2021. These are explained in more detail below.
As noted elsewhere in the Annual Report, on 8 February 2023, the Group finalised restructuring the Group's outstanding Notes with the terms of a proposed restructuring agreed by the parties. For more details on the key terms of restructuring please refer to pages 6–7.
The Group's revenue increased by 2.3% to US\$199.7 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$195.3 million). This is mainly explained by the higher product prices which was offset by lower sales volumes derived from a decrease in production during 2022 as shown in the table below. The average Urals crude oil price increased by 16.1% from US\$69.1 /bbl during 2021 to US\$ 80.2 /bbl during the reporting period.
The pricing for all the Group's crude oil, condensate and LPG is, directly or indirectly, related to the price of Urals crude oil.
Revenues from sales to the Group's largest three customers amounted to US\$151.3 million, US\$15.7 million and US\$6.8 million (2021: US\$143.1 million, US\$18.2 million and US\$8.7 million).
The Group's revenue breakdown by products for the reporting period and 2022 is presented below:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue from oil and gas condensate sales | 158,107 | 150,290 | 7,817 | 5.2% |
| Revenue from gas and LPG sales | 41,578 | 44,978 | (3,400) | (7.6%) |
| Revenue from sulphur sales | 32 | 17 | 15 | 100.0% |
| Total revenue | 199,717 | 195,285 | 4,432 | 2.3% |
| Average Urals crude oil price (US\$/bbl) | 80.2 | 69.1 | 11.1 | 16.1% |
The following table shows the Group's revenue breakdown by export/domestic sales for the reporting period and 2022:
| In thousands of US Dollar | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revenue from export sales | 177,173 | 169,825 | 7,348 | 4.3% |
| Revenue from domestic sales | 22,544 | 25,460 | (2,916) | (11.5%) |
| Total revenue | 199,717 | 195,285 | 4,432 | 2.3% |
The Group's sales volumes by products and production volumes for the reporting period and 2022 is presented below:
| In boe | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and gas condensate sales volumes | 2,252,853 | 2,378,019 | (125,167) | (5.3%) |
| Gas and LPG sales volumes | 2,318,291 | 3,217,443 | (899,152) | (27.9%) |
| Total sales volumes | 4,571,144 | 5,595,462 | (1,024,319) | (18.3%) |
| Production volumes | 4,818,015 | 6,216,764 | (1,398,749) | (22.5%) |
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Depreciation, depletion and amortisation | 51,682 | 55,569 | (3,887) | (7.0%) |
| Payroll and related taxes | 14,179 | 14,603 | (424) | (2.9%) |
| Repair, maintenance and other services | 6,662 | 6,610 | 52 | 0.8% |
| Materials and supplies | 4,333 | 4,561 | (228) | (5.0%) |
| Transportation services | 2,285 | 2,559 | (274) | (10.7%) |
| Well repair and maintenance costs | 3,122 | 2,726 | 396 | 14.5% |
| Environmental levies | 79 | 201 | (122) | (60.7%) |
| Change in stock | 1,191 | 403 | 788 | 195.5% |
| Other | 520 | 617 | (97) | (15.7%) |
| Total | 84,053 | 87,849 | (3,796) | (4.3%) |
Cost of sales decreased by 4.3% to US\$ 84.1 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$87.8 million). On a barrel of oil equivalent (boe) basis, cost of sales increased by US\$ 2.7 from US\$ 15.7 in 2021 to US\$18.4 for the reporting period and cost of sales excluding depreciation increased by US\$1.3 to US\$ 7.1 in the reporting period (2021: US\$ 5.8).
The main components of the decrease in cost of sales are:
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation decreased by 7.0% to US\$51.7 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$55.6 million). Depreciation is calculated applying the units of production method. The decrease in depreciation in 2022 in comparison with the prior period is a consequence of the decrease in the production partially offset with the increase in the ratio of the production volumes to the proven developed reserves, which increases the charge per barrel of oil produced.
Payroll and related taxes decreased by 2.9% from US\$14.6 million in 2021 to US\$14.2 million for 2022, resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates, which were partially offset by annual salary indexation.
Transportation services decreased by 10.7% to US\$2.3 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$2.6 million), which is caused by the decrease in the production and the relative cost optimisation.
The above-mentioned decrease in costs was partially offset by increase in the following components of cost of sales:
Repair, maintenance and other services increased by 0.8% from US\$6.6 million to US\$6.7 million for the reporting period. These expenses include costs of repairs and maintenance services on the facilities, specifically the gas treatment facility, as well as related spare parts and other materials. These costs fluctuate depending on the timing of the periodic scheduled maintenance works.
Well repair and maintenance costs increased by 12.6% to US\$3.1 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$2.7 million), due to the fact that, in 2022, the Group continued to implement the program of major well repairs and geological and technical measures carried out without drilling, in accordance with the strategy of well management and field development.
Change in stock for the year mainly represents the movement in oil and condensate inventories. The positive adjustment of US\$0.8 million in 2022 is a result of a build-up of condensate and crude oil inventories as at 31 December 2021 which were then sold early in 2022. The charge of US\$0.4 million in 2021 is the result of sale of oil and condensate volumes which were built-up as at 31 December 2020 and sold during 2021.
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payroll and related taxes | 6,634 | 6,123 | 511 | 8.3% |
| Professional services | 3,556 | 4,113 | (557) | (13.5%) |
| Insurance fees | 577 | 601 | (24) | (4.0%) |
| Business travel | 282 | 204 | 78 | 38.2% |
| Short-term leases | 172 | 290 | (118) | (40.7%) |
| Communication | 180 | 182 | (2) | (1.1%) |
| Depreciation and amortisation | 153 | 170 | (17) | (10.0%) |
| Materials and supplies | 182 | 144 | 38 | 26.4% |
| Bank charges | 47 | 71 | (24) | (33.8%) |
| Other | 293 | 226 | 67 | 29.6% |
| Total | 12,076 | 12,124 | (48) | (0.4%) |
General and administrative expenses remained unchanged at the same level of US\$ 12.1 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$12.1 million). This was driven by the increase in payroll and related taxes by 8.3% from US\$6.1 million to US\$6.6 million which was offset by the decrease in professional services by US\$0.6 million or 13.5%. This reflected further cost optimisation programme.
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation costs | 8,473 | 9,545 | (1,072) | (11.2%) |
| Loading and storage costs | 8,094 | 6,869 | 1,225 | 17.8% |
| Marketing services | – | 2,167 | (2,167) | (100.0%) |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | – | 1,556 | (1,556) | (100.0%) |
| Payroll and related taxes | 1,375 | 1,520 | (145) | (9.5%) |
| Other | 2,008 | 1,409 | 599 | 42.5% |
| Total | 19,950 | 23,066 | (3,116) | (13.5%) |
Selling and transportation expenses decreased by 13.5% to US\$ 20.0 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$23.1 million), primarily due to a decrease in the volumes sold and marketing services fees. In 2021, a part of the loading and storage expenses related to the leased railway tank cars was capitalised as lease liabilities and respective right-of-use assets, and therefore reflected through depreciation and unwinding of interest. In 2022, due to changes in the terms of lease agreements they did not meet the requirements for recognition under lease accounting in accordance with IFRS16 Leases, and therefore the related costs were directly expensed as loading and storage costs in the income statement.
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Export customs duty | 10,014 | 7,655 | 2,359 | 30.8% |
| Royalties | 8,116 | 7,786 | 330 | 4.2% |
| Government profit share | 1,692 | 1,628 | 64 | 3.9% |
| Other taxes | 8 | 14 | (6) | (42.9%) |
| Total | 19,830 | 17,083 | 2,747 | 16.1% |
Royalties, which are calculated based on production volumes and market prices for the different products, increase by 4.2% to US\$ 8.1 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$7.8 million), which corresponds to the increase in hydrocarbon revenues partially offset with decrease in production volumes.
Export customs duty on crude oil increased by US\$2.4million or 3.9% to US\$ 1.7 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$7.7 million), mainly owing to the corresponding higher export custom duties rates caused by higher hydrocarbon prices.
In 2021, as a result of the higher hydrocarbon prices being reflected in the impairment model the Group reversed the impairment on the property, plant and equipment in the amount of US\$74.2 million.
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | Variance | Variance, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interest expense on borrowings | 105,411 | 103,115 | 2,296 | 2.2% |
| Other finance costs | 16,986 | 12,386 | 4,600 | 37.1% |
| Unwinding of discount on amounts due to Government of Kazakhstan | 470 | 762 | (292) | (38.3%) |
| Unwinding of discount on lease liability | − | 157 | (157) | (100.0%) |
| Unwinding of discount on abandonment and site restoration provision | 271 | 276 | (5) | (1.8%) |
| Total | 123,138 | 116,696 | 6,442 | 5.5% |
Finance costs increased by US\$6.4 million to US\$123.1 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$116.7 million) mainly due to higher interest expense on borrowings of US\$105.4 million (2021: US\$103.1 million) and higher other finance costs of US\$17.0 million (2021: US\$12.4 million). Increase in interest expense on borrowings is due to the additional interest cost in the amount, which was calculated on the accrued unpaid interest on Notes as per the terms of the Notes. Other finance costs primarily represent advisor fees (2021: bondholder consent fees of US\$2.9 million and advisor fees of U S\$9.3 million) incurred by the Group in relation to the forbearance agreements, lock-up agreement, and discussions with its bondholders regarding the restructuring of the Group's outstanding bonds. For more details on the restructuring and related information see Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements.
Other expenses increased to US\$29.8 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$13.2 million). The increase is mainly attributable to the additional taxes and penalties in 2022 accrued as result of the tax inspections and reassessments in relation to prior periods considering new information, which was not available at the time of preparation of respective financial information, and relevant interpretations by the management.
Income tax expense amounted to US\$34.7 million for the reporting period, a difference of US\$3.0 million as compared to income tax expense of US\$31.7 million in 2021. Such a significant amount of income tax benefit in 2022 includes an additional accrual of income tax expense of US\$12.5 million caused by the previous years tax inspection and reassessments. In addition, the increase in income tax expense is also attributable to the decrease in the tax base of the property, plant and equipment relatively to IFRS base caused by Tenge devaluation against US Dollar, resulting to additional deferred tax liabilities and corresponding income tax charge.
The income tax expense in 2021 was mainly caused by the impairment reversal of US\$74.2 recognised as of 31 December 2021 and corresponding recognition of deferred tax liabilities. An impairment reversal was booked in 2021 and the increase in the difference between the IFRS base and the tax base of the property, plant and equipment resulted in additional deferred tax liabilities and corresponding income tax charge.
During the period under review, Nostrum's principal source of funds was cash from operations. Following the negotiations to restructure the Notes, during 2021 and 2022, the focus turned to preservation of cash by optimising the spend on capital expenditures and working capital requirements.
The following table sets forth the Group's consolidated cash flow statement data for 2022 and the prior year:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 165,246 | 78,583 |
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 102,204 | 117,415 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (15,781) | (19,778) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (17,481) | (10,862) |
| Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (604) | (112) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 233,584 | 165,246 |
Net cash flow from operating activities was US\$102.2 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$117.4 million) and was primarily attributable to:
Net cash used in investing activities for the reporting period was US\$15.8 million (2021: US\$19.8 million) due primarily to payment of expenditures related to well workover & intervention programme of US\$5.0 million for the reporting period (2021: US\$3.6 million), gas lift infrastructure development of US\$5.0 million (2021: US\$2.8 million), the modification GTU 1-2-3 of US\$4.0 million (2021: US\$0.4 million). In 2022 transfer to the restricted cash of US\$0.6 million as required by the subsoil use rights for abandonment and site restoration liabilities of the Group. In 2021 transfer to the restricted cash of US\$9.8 million included the cash transfers under the forbearance agreements as well.
Net cash used in financing activities during the reporting period made up US\$17.5 million (2021: US\$10.9 million) and was mainly represented by the payment of fees related to forbearance agreement and restructuring negotiations of US\$17.5 million (2021: US\$9.1 million).
In 2021, the lease payments of US\$1.7 were made in the relation to the leased railway tanks recognised as right-of-use assets with the relative recognition of lease liability. In 2022, due to changes in the terms of lease agreements they did not meet the requirements for recognition under lease accounting in accordance with IFRS16 Leases, and therefore the related payments are recognised within cash flows from operating activities.
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty raising funds to meet commitments associated with its financial liabilities. Liquidity requirements are monitored on a regular basis and management seeks to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet any commitments as they arise. The table below summarises the maturity profile of the Group's financial liabilities as at 31 December 2022 based on contractual undiscounted payments:
| In thousands of US Dollars | On demand | Less than 3 months |
3-12 months | 1-5 years | More than 5 years |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Borrowings | 1,400,197 | 43,000 | 43,000 | – | – | 1,486,197 |
| Trade payables | 9,525 | – | 404 | – | – | 9,929 |
| Other current liabilities | 10,824 | – | – | – | – | 10,824 |
| Due to Government of Kazakhstan | – | 258 | 773 | 4,124 | 3,350 | 8,505 |
| 1,420,546 | 43,258 | 44,177 | 4,124 | 3,350 | 1,515,455 |
With the completion of Restructuring in February 2023 (see pages 6 - 7), the maturity profile of the Group's borrowings will change with principle amount of the new SSNs and SUNs falling under 1-5 years category, with reflection of related future coupon payments in the relevant categories.
During the reporting period, Nostrum's cash used in capital expenditures for purchase of property, plant and equipment (excluding VAT) was approximately US\$8.0 million (2021: US\$8.6 million). This mainly reflects costs associated with well workover/intervention program and other field infrastructure development projects (2020: well workover/intervention program and other field infrastructure development projects).
Following the successful completion of the first phase of the gas treatment facility, consisting of two units, the Group achieved full commissioning of a third unit during 2019. This unit is in hot stand-by mode and a discrete maintenance scope for 2023 was approved to improve further recovery efficiency of products from the raw gas stream.
The Group currently pays no dividend and has not done so since 2015, as the Board determined it was not in the Company's best interests to do so. This will be reviewed annually by the Board.
The Group monitors on an ongoing basis its liquidity position, near-term forecasts, and key financial ratios to ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet its commitments as they arise and liabilities as they fall due. The Group reforecasts its rolling 24-month cashflows on a quarterly basis and stress tests its future liquidity position for changes in product prices, production volumes, costs and other significant events. Whilst looking for new opportunities to fill the spare capacity of the Group's infrastructure, the Directors are also focused on a range of actions aimed at improving the liquidity outlook in the near-term. These include the ongoing efforts on further cost optimisation to reduce capital expenditures, operating costs and general and administration cost.
The Directors' going concern assessment is supported by future cash flow forecasts for the going concern period to 30 June 2024. The Group had unrestricted cash balances of over US\$191 million as at 31 March 2023 and over \$14 million in escrow account. The base case going concern assessment reflects production forecasts consistent with the Board approved plans and published guidance and assumes a Brent oil price of \$75/bbl. Also, the forecast financing cashflows take into account completion of restructuring in February 2023 as described on pages 6 – 7. Under the base case going concern assessment to the period to 30 June 2024, the Group is forecast to have total cash reserves of over U\$\$180 million. The base case scenario has also been tested for sensitivity against the key assumptions including 10% reduction in product prices, 10% reduction in forecast production and sales volumes, 10% increase in capital expenditures and operating cost over the period of assessment and unexpected fines and penalties for various non-compliance issues, consistent with the sensitivities applied for viability assessment as described on pages 45 – 46. Considering such sensitivity analysis conclusion was made that the Group is not exposed to downside volatility of these key assumptions individually or in aggregate.
After careful consideration, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group and Company have sufficient resources to continue in operation for the going concern period to 30 June 2024. For these reasons, in accordance with provision 30 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 2018, the Directors consider it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments to the carrying amount or classification of assets and liabilities that would result if the Group were unable to continue as a going concern.
Notwithstanding that the going concern period has been defined as the period to 30 June 2024, the Directors have considered events and conditions beyond the period of assessment which may cast doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern. The Directors draw attention to the Viability Statement on pages 45 – 46 which highlights a possible necessity in the future for partial refinancing or restructuring of the Group's debt.
In the discussion of the Group's reported operating results, alternative performance measures (APMs) are presented to provide readers with additional financial information that is regularly reviewed by management to assess the financial performance or financial health of the Group or is useful to investors and stakeholders to assess the Group's performance and position. However, this additional information presented is not uniformly defined by all companies including those in the Group's industry. Accordingly, it may not be comparable with similarly titled measures and disclosures by other companies. Certain information presented is derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but is not itself an expressly permitted IFRS measure. Such measures should not be viewed in isolation or as an alternative to the equivalent IFRS measure.
EBITDA is defined as the results of operating activities before depreciation and amortisation, share-based compensation, fair value gains and losses on derivative instruments, foreign exchange losses, finance costs, finance income, non-core income or expenses and taxes, and includes any cash proceeds received or paid out from hedging activity. This metric is relevant as it allows management to assess the operating performance of the Group in absence of exceptional and non-cash items.
Operating costs are the cost of sales less depreciation and change in stock. This metric is relevant as it allows management to see the cost base of the Company on a cash basis.
| In millions of US\$ (unless mentioned otherwise) | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBITDA reconciliation | |||||
| Loss /(profit) before income tax | (81.8) | 5.6 | (401.8) | (1,343.1) | (92.2) |
| Add back | |||||
| Finance costs | 123.1 | 116.7 | 102.1 | 43.0 | 49.4 |
| Impairment change | – | (74.2) | 286.6 | 1,354.7 | 150.0 |
| Employee share options-fair value adjustment | – | (0.2) | (0.5) | 0.6 | (1.3) |
| Foreign exchange loss/ (gain), net | (0.3) | 0.3 | 1.8 | (0.4) | 1.0 |
| Loss on derivative financial instrument | – | – | – | – | 12.4 |
| Interest income | (0.3) | (0.3) | (0.3) | (0.1) | (0.5) |
| Other expenses | 29.8 | 13.2 | 7.6 | 12.5 | 8.5 |
| Other income | (6.8) | (5.9) | (4.8) | (7.2) | (4.4) |
| Depreciation, depletion and amortisation | 51.8 | 57.3 | 89.8 | 143.3 | 117.1 |
| Purchase of derivative financial instruments | – | – | – | (3.7) | (8.6) |
| EBITDA | 115.7 | 112.5 | 80.5 | 199.6 | 231.3 |
| Operating costs reconciliation | |||||
| Cost of sales | 84.1 | 87.8 | 125.4 | 172.0 | 165.1 |
| Less: | |||||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortisation | (51.7) | (55.6) | (86.3) | (136.8) | (115.2) |
| Change in stock | (1.2) | (0.4) | (7.3) | 6.2 | (0.1) |
| Operating costs | 31.2 | 31.8 | 31.8 | 41.4 | 49.8 |
| G&A reconciliation | |||||
| General and administrative expenses | 12.1 | 12.1 | 14.7 | 21.4 | 22.2 |
| Adjusted for: | |||||
| Depreciation and amortisation | (0.2) | (0.2) | (0.6) | (2.0) | (1.9) |
| G&A | 11.9 | 11.9 | 14.1 | 19.4 | 20.3 |
| Net debt reconciliation | |||||
| Long-term borrowings | – | – | – | 1,100.5 | 1,094.0 |
| Current portion of long-term borrowings | 1,396.5 | 1,289.6 | 1,186.3 | 35.6 | 35.6 |
| Less: | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 233.6 | 165.2 | 78.6 | 93.9 | 121.8 |
| Net debt | 1,162.9 | 1,124.4 | 1,107.7 | 1,042.2 | 1,007.8 |
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 102.2 | 117.4 | 82.7 | 196.8 | 214.0 |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (15.8) | (19.8) | (40.1) | (121.0) | (172.0) |
| Net cash (used in)/ from financing activities | (17.5) | (10.9) | (58.4) | (103.7) | (47.0) |
| EBITDA margin4 | 57.9% | 57.6% | 45.7% | 61.9% | 59.3% |
| Share price at end of period (US\$) | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.10 | 0.22 | 1.03 |
| Shares outstanding (`000s) | 188,183 | 188,183 | 188,183 | 188,183 | 188,183 |
| Options outstanding (`000s) | 3,432 | 3,432 | 3,432 | 3,432 | 3,432 |
Depreciation as it applies to operating assets only.
Purchase of derivative financial instruments represents the cash paid under the hedging contract which in accordance with IAS7 Statement of Cash Flows is included within operating cash flows. While this item is not required to be presented in the Consolidated Income Statement, we have included this in our definition of EBIT and EBITDA in order to better align these non-GAAP measures with our operating cash flows.
Due to materiality the change in stock was introduced in the opex reconciliation from 2019, and comparatives have been adjusted accordingly for consistency purposes.
EBIDTA margin is calculated as EBITDA divided by total revenue.
Pivoting towards cleaner energy and positive impact on society
| Our Commitments | Alignment with the UN SDGs | Our medium-term goals and targets |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Play our role in the transition to cleaner energy and minimise the environmental impact of our operations |
• Maintain strong Health, Safety, Environmental and Security leadership • Invest in best-in-class emission reduction technologies |
|
| Social Create a safe, diverse and inclusive working environment and promote local economic growth and social development |
• Invest in workforce skills to support the Energy transition • Continue to provide funding and support to local communities |
|
| Governance Have a robust corporate governance, strict compliance and an ethical business culture |
• Align Senior Management Team incentivisation with ESG targets • Strengthen ESG and climate reporting |
• Reduction of CO2 emissions by 5% as of year result • Reduction of GHG emissions by 5% as of year result
• Improve the ESG Risk rating (Sustainalytics scoring). For overall ESG "Severe" risk rating our midterm plan is to reach higher score level, improve the management of our material ESG issues, and to move from the severe risk rating category to the "Low" one (the lower the score, the lower likely impact of ESG issues on the economic value of
• Equality and diversity policy • Whistleblowing policy
• Code of conduct
• Anti-corruption and bribery policy
Our medium-term
leadership
• Maintain strong Health, Safety, Environmental and Security
• Invest in best-in-class emission reduction technologies
• Invest in workforce skills to support the Energy transition • Continue to provide funding and support to local communities
• Align Senior Management Team incentivisation with
• Strengthen ESG and climate
ESG targets
reporting
Pivoting towards cleaner energy and positive impact on society
Our Commitments Alignment with the UN SDGs
Environmental
Social
Governance
Have a robust corporate
governance, strict compliance and an ethical business culture
Play our role in the transition to cleaner energy and minimise the environmental
impact of our operations
Create a safe, diverse and inclusive working
environment and promote local economic growth and social development
• In 2022 we achieved our target with actual GHG emissions in CO2 equivalent of 169,630 tonnes as compared to 187,479 in 2021
• Reduction of GHG emissions by 5% as of year result
• TRIR less than 1.9
• Improve the ESG Risk rating (Sustainalytics scoring). For overall ESG "Severe" risk rating our midterm plan is to reach higher score level, improve the management of our material ESG issues, and to move from the severe risk rating category to the "Low" one (the lower the score, the lower likely impact of ESG issues on the economic value of a Company)

In 2022, our ESG Task Force was created. Its priority objective for 2022 was for the Company to be rated in the top 50% of its peers by a globally recognised sustainability rating agency. Sustainalytics,1 a Morningstar company, is a leading independent ESG research, ratings and data firm that supports investors around the world with the development and implementation of responsible investment strategies. Sustainalytics works with hundreds of the world's leading asset managers and pension funds who incorporate ESG and corporate governance information and assessments into their investment processes. The firm also works with hundreds of companies and their financial intermediaries to help them consider sustainability in policies, practices and capital projects.
Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Ratings measure a company's exposure to industry specific material ESG risks and how well a company is managing those risks. This multidimensional way of measuring ESG risk combines the concepts of management and exposure to arrive at an assessment of ESG risk, i.e., a total unmanaged ESG risk score or the ESG Risk Rating, that is comparable across all industries. Sustainalytics' ESG Risk Ratings provide a quantitative measure of unmanaged ESG risk and distinguish between the following levels of risk: negligible, low and medium.
In February 2023, Nostrum received an ESG Risk Rating of 40.5 and was assessed by Sustainalytics to be at Severe risk of experiencing material financial impacts from ESG factors. The 40.5 rating corresponds to the residual risk following management actions on a rating scale from 1-100 (1 is best, 100 is worst).
The following eleven material topics that reflect the Company's most important social and environmental impacts were reviewed:
Our highest ESG risk exposure is from carbon and water intensity. The company's exposure to issues is high and moderately above its peers.
Our production process may have adverse impacts, and our aim is to avoid them. We seek to minimise and mitigate these impacts where we can and look for ways to contribute to the long-term health of society and the natural environment. To improve in this area, we have implemented several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions and stationary combustion. These include the installation of fuel gas flowmeters to quantify CO2 emissions and vapor recovery systems that inhibit hydrocarbon evaporation during storage and transfer. The company's management of the issue is average. Nostrum recognises the transition risks and opportunities associated with climate change, and its board-level Strategy committee will regularly assess and manage climaterelated matters to ensure compliance with environmental regulations. Until the end of 2022 the Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee provided a deep-dive in HSEC areas (including climate change), and after the restructuring has been completed in 2023 the newly formed Senior Management level HSE and ESG committees chaired by CEO now have responsibility for HSE and ESG related matters including execution of HSE and ESG-related targets and projects.
is described on pages 88–127. 1 Copyright ©2022 Sustainalytics. All rights reserved. This section contains information developed by Sustainalytics (www.sustainalytics.com). Such information and data are proprietary of Sustainalytics and/or its third party suppliers (Third Party Data) and are provided for informational purposes only. They do not constitute an endorsement of any product or project, nor an investment advice and are not warranted to be complete, timely, accurate or suitable for a particular purpose. Their use is subject to conditions available at www.sustainalytics.com/legal-disclaimers.
We view our management of sustainability as core to our efforts to generate social value including:
The ESG Risk Rating recognises particularly strong management of the following material ESG issues: Community Relations, Corporate Governance, Resource Use, Bribery and Corruption, Occupational Health and Safety, Human Capital, Business Ethics.
We are committed to high standards of health and safety and we strive every day to maintain a positive safety culture across our business. The Company was able to meet performance targets in Health and Safety during 2022, with no employee and contractor fatalities. We will continue to establish objectives and targets which will drive ongoing performance improvements in this area.
The Company works hand in hand with contractors to ensure compliance with regulations governing safe working. We share our safety procedures with contractors and when necessary, we work with them to raise their standards to meet our requirements. Nostrum's contractor safety management programme includes best practice elements such as safety training and a pre-qualification process which comprises a requirement to legally commit to the Company's Health, Safety and Environment Schedule as an integral part of the business contract.
The Company is noted for showing particular strength in its Board structure, its ownership structure/shareholder rights, its audit and financial performance systems and its stakeholder governance. The Company's exposure to Community Relations issues is medium and moderately above its peers, but the Company's management of the issue is above average. Human Rights Policy got a maximum possible score, and Community Involvement Programmes and Community Development Programmes are rated above average. More information on Governance

The safety of our employees and contractors is a core value for Nostrum. We are committed to the highest international health and safety standards and we strive to maintain a positive safety culture across our business on a daily basis. We implement robust training and emergency preparedness planning across the workforce.
Having the right culture is key to good safety performance and the Group promotes a safety culture among its employees and contractors. We reinforce good practice through our Group-led a safety culture programme. The continuous improvement of the safety culture involves all personnel of Nostrum and contractors at all levels to improve safety performance including risk identification and awareness. We have established four pillars in our approach: HSE leadership; rigorous incident investigation; process safety/asset integrity and contractor HSE management. In addition to the pillars, we have implemented "Golden Rules", provide extensive training on safety practices and apply a comprehensive Governance framework (please see TCFD Governance recommendations on pages 80–81).
Nostrum saw a significant improvement in its lost time incidents (LTIs) and road traffic incidents (RTIs) in 2022 by recording zero incidents for both Nostrum's and contractors' operations. Total recordable incidents rate in 2022 was 1.56 incidents per million man-hours, representing a 36% decline against 2021.
For the fourth consecutive year the Group and its contractors had zero fatalities across its operations.
Nostrum notes that its activities are potentially hazardous. The Group's management, employees and contractors are trained to understand that no accidents are inevitable as we strive to inculcate an environment in which safety consciousness and mitigating actions are such that zero incidents are possible and achievable. For all incidents, we follow our incident investigation procedure based on the "five whys" and "why tree" methodology to determine the root causes, and apply SMART principles to mitigate future risks.
We require our contractors and suppliers to work to the same high standards as our employees, therefore effective contractor selection, communication and training in our safety culture and practices as well as strong monitoring are essential to maintain the high level of safety embraced by Nostrum.
| Manhours worked in 2022 | Percentage of total |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nostrum employees: | |||
| 1,012,351 | 39.5% | ||
| Contractors: 1,551,461 | 60.5% |
In 2022, we continued with our contractor HSE management implementation and performed seven external contractor HSE management audits and two internal management system audits to test compliance with our HSE management system.
Review audits and bi-annual HSE performance meetings with our key contractors were also conducted in 2022.
Nostrum seeks to promote safe behaviour among its contractors and has established a wide range of methods to ensure that operations at facilities are carried out in full compliance with local legislation as well as Nostrum rules and regulations. In addition to the measures already discussed, Nostrum continues to use the hazard observation cards initiative introduced in 2019 (described more fully on page 59).
| 2022 | 1.56 | 2.0 | 24% | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2.42 | 3.0 | |||
| 2020 | 3.80 | 3.5 | |||
| 2019 | 2.96 | 3.0 | |||
| 2018 | 1.39 | 3.0 | |||
| TRIR | Target TRIR |

incidents per million km driven
| 2022 | 0 | 0.8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0.8 | 1.46 | |||
| 2020 | 0.72 | 1.2 | |||
| 2019 | 0.72 | 1.5 | |||
| 2018 | 0.8 | 1.5 | |||
| RTI | Target RTI |
Our annual contractor HSE forum dedicated to Golden Rules compliance took place in October 2022. General directors and HSE Representatives from main contractors attended the forum to share their HSE performance results with the Company's management.
In order to effectively manage the "Golden Rules", Nostrum applies rigorous consequence management which means that we take a risk-based approach to guide people and leaders through the processes required when they witness or have reported to them inappropriate behaviour in the workplace. For serious violations of safety rules, staff and contractors risk immediate dismissal. For that purpose, consequence management is split into two categories. The more serious category which results in immediate dismissal is applied in case of alcohol/drug abuse. Less severe cases, such as safety belt violation, result initially in a warning followed by dismissal if a repeat violation is observed.
In our operations there are several stages to ensure contractor compliance with HSE spanning from pre-contract award to contract close-out with significant roles for the contract owner, contract holder, contracts and procurement and HSE staff.
This process is more fully described below:
To be a qualified bidder, vendors must meet our qualification standards, which include five fundamental HSE criteria. This process is meant to help us select those vendors that both adhere to and support our basic HSE culture.
Our procurement group has developed a standard checklist which is used by contract holders in compiling specifications for scope of work/services. This checklist includes HSE issues identified by contract holders as mandatory and which must be complied with by the selected contractor. The depth of these questions depends on the complexity and risk profile of the services to be provided with more comprehensive questioning of potential contractors that would be engaged in safety critical operations or where the HSE risk is considered high. HSE risk ratings (ranging from high to low) are assigned to all services to be tendered. The contracts and procurement department ensures all these requirements are properly addressed in the Invitation to Tender (ITT) Package.
Our standard ITT Package includes:
The selected contractor signs the contract which incorporates a HSE Schedule as an integral part.
Stage 5 – Contract Performance The contract holder, with support of HSE representatives, is responsible for the
management of HSE performance of the Contractor. All new contractors start their engagement
with Nostrum with kick-off meetings organised by the contract supervisor and supported by HSE representatives, at which Nostrum's expectations are explained in detail. Further topics of discussions are clear identification of KPIs related to HSE, introduction of HSE responsible staff from both sides, and induction into the Company's procedures and regulations.
As we have noted above, in 2022 Nostrum saw a significant improvement in RTI, resulting in absence of incidents as a result of the following activities carried out over the years:

As part of promoting a safety culture among our employees and contractors, Nostrum continues to implement a hazard observation card process. This initiative was launched in 2019, when all employees and contractors were encouraged to report any unsafe conditions observed in the workplace. This helps to ensure that our employees and contractors are always mindful of safe working conditions and continuously help to improve the safety of our operations.
We set ourselves a KPI for 2022 to issue at least 1,000 Hazard Observation Cards. Of this amount at least 500 should have been issued by more than 60% of Nostrum employees and at least 500 cards by the four largest Nostrum contractors based on contract value. In 2022, Nostrum and our contractors' personnel issued 1,746 hazard observation cards, representing eight times growth as compared to 2019 amount when the initiative was started. In 2023 Nostrum is planning a new step in building an HSE culture by implementing an Intervention culture across Nostrum and Contractor personnel. HAZARD OBSERVATION CARDS

Since 2020, Nostrum has conducted in-house HSE training and examination designed to improve the HSE competencies of both Nostrum and contract personnel performing safetycritical activities. To facilitate this, Nostrum acquired an industrial safety accreditation which allows the Group to conduct in-house HSE training and examination in areas such as industrial and labour safety. Group employees are continuously trained in labour safety, industrial safety and H2S rules. During 2022, 715 employees took advanced HSE training. IN-HOUSE HSE TRAINING
| 2022 | 254 | 238 | 223 | 715 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 329 | 263 | 224 | 816 | |||
| 2020 | 311 | 318 | 344 | 973 | |||
| H2S rules | Industrial safety rules |
Labour safety rules
In 2022, HSE Workshops were carried out for field personnel to promote awareness on the following topics:
In 2022, there were no Tier 403-7 1 or Tier 2 process safety

events registered at Nostrum's production facilities. As defined by the American Petroleum Institute, a Tier 1 and Tier 2 safety incident is an unplanned or uncontrolled release of any materials, including non-toxic and non-flammable materials, from a process that results in one or more of the following consequences:
The selection of appropriate maintenance strategies and the classification of equipment as safety critical or non- critical, is based on the impact that such equipment failure has on safety. Nostrum employs a specific safety critical equipment maintenance program whereby resources are allocated in order of priority with critical systems taking precedence.
All vessels and main flow lines were inspected according to international and RoK standards at the frequencies described (2, 5 or 10 years). No defects were identified during the internal and external inspections. From 2023 onwards, all vessels and flow lines will require yearly inspection but this can be done externally without necessary shutdowns as was the case for internal inspections. The inspection will be focussed on wall thickness and, as such, provides the same information as before.
In 2022, no industrial accidents or oil spills were recorded at Nostrum's operations. The Company has established and successfully exercises an emergency response system and undertakes measures to prevent oil and oil product spills.
The Company has emergency response plans to enhance our ability to respond rapidly to unforeseen events to maintain business continuity and minimise negative impact on people, the environment, our physical assets and our reputation.
These plans are communicated to the workforce and response personnel receives training to ensure they are competent to carry out their emergency roles. We continue to ensure asset integrity and control operations to effectively manage all significant risks during all stages of the operations.
Specifically, in 2022 Nostrum revised and agreed with emergency services all Emergency Response Plans (hereinafter – ERP) for hazardous production facilities. Under these plans, emergency training of personnel has been conducted on a quarterly basis in order to prevent accidents and emergencies as well as to train personnel in emergency response in case of their occurrence according to ERP emergency scenarios at all hazardous production facilities. In 2022, we maintained emergency response training and exercises involving credible emergency ERP scenarios at all hazardous production facilities.
Hazardous production facilities at Nostrum include:
During training drills at the facilities, the composition of the emergency operations center (EOS) was determined to organise and coordinate possible emergency prevention and responses to accidents, as well as to ensure fire safety. During quarterly drills held at the facilities – EOS, the whole range of issues related to accidents and emergency prevention and elimination procedures was considered.
Overall control of all emergency drills was overseen by the Field Director, who is also responsible for the implementation of industrial and fire safety measures.
We believe that these actions help maintain the proper level of skills and competencies among employees and executives and ensure compliance with legal requirements and corporate standards.
The Group strives to have 206-4 zero operational spills.
Nostrum continues to undertake initiatives to prevent and reduce spills that include drills and training teams, timely maintenance, repair and replacement of equipment, monitoring of problem areas, etc.
We continue to enhance our spill response capabilities and, during 2022, we revised, designed and implemented the Oil Spill Response Plan ("OSRP") within the Company's production facilities.
This plan sets our response strategies and techniques, available equipment, and trained personnel and contracts and includes the following measures:
safety and other actions.
According to this plan, to prevent oil spills in 2022, three drills were held at the Terminal and oil pipeline with the participation of contractor Ansar-S-Group LLP including deployment of equipment for collecting spilled oil, both from the ground and on the water surface. The workforce of Fire brigade of the Ansar-S-group LLP (at the terminal) trained using their practical knowledge in operating oil collection equipment for further disposal. Drills are conducted every quarter, the results are summarised and best response options are developed.
In addition, an annual preparation of hazardous sections of pipelines for autumn-winter season and spring floods is made, especially in areas located in a possible flooding area. Monitoring of their condition is organised by contractors – Nysan Korgau and Ansar-S Group.
The OSRP gives substantiation of a possible emergency level, analyses scenarios of their occurrence and development, and also makes a forecast of possible consequences for production facilities associated with accidental oil spills.
Introduction of emergency response plans and OSRP for Nostrum's production and engineering personnel is documented in the briefing log at the workplace against signature. The facility supervisor and an engineering manager define responsibility for the due and correct preparation of ERPs. In addition to OSRP, compliance with safety requirements is controlled on a regular basis. If non-compliance is identified, corrective and preventive action plans are developed and implemented.
60 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022

In 2022 there were no oil spills. A table below shows data for 2019-2022:
| Period | Contained oil spills |
Non-contained oil spills |
Volume of the oil spills in cubic meters |
Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 0 | 1 | 0.045 | In February 2019, there was a minor fuel spill to the ground when on LPG truck tipped over. The leak amounted to 45 litres of diesel on the ground. |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | 0.05 | There was an oil spill inside the pump station of the Terminal without any leak to the open ground surface. |
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 1 | 0.095 |
To respond to emergencies, Nostrum established emergency rescue teams (hereinafter – the ERT), whereby 120 employees on a voluntary basis (60 people in each shift), are engaged to ensure the safety of the production facilities. In 2022, regular drills with ERT staff were conducted as per Site Specific Emergency response plans.
To maintain and conduct emergency rescue operations, the Company has long-term contracts with professional ERT – Ak-Beren LLP (gas rescue service) and Ansar-S-Group LLP (firefighters-rescuers). Ak-Beren, a professional blowout elimination service, is responsible for accident prevention at oil and gas wells, which is fully compliant with the requirements for oil, petroleum product, and other hydrocarbon spill response. Materials and equipment available to the emergency response and rescue teams are certified and compliant with all requirements. In 2022, this service included preventive works to train its gas rescuers and voluntary teams of Nostrum.
A high degree of readiness for the ERT is supported by regular drills and training, as well as theoretical knowledge. Drills and training are held on a quarterly basis. Special attention during the ongoing emergency drills was given to those facilities where gas and oil contain hydrogen sulfide. The drills in 2022 were conducted according to updated and approved ERPs. Commanders of voluntary rescue and fire teams were additionally trained under the training program for unit commanders to maintain levels of skills and competence, particularly in relation to safety-critical roles.
The non-government fire service of Ansar-S-Group LLP, which had a service agreement with Nostrum in 2022, was also involved several times in emergency response in Baiterek during the elimination of the consequences of spring floods and summer steppe fires at the request of local executive bodies. Thus, Nostrum provides assistance to the administration and residents of Baiterek on an ongoing basis.
A significant part of preventive and emergency organisation is performed by contractors for Nostrum. In order to ensure a high level of preparedness for emergency response, all drills and trainings were made with the participation of the following organisations:
HSE personnel assigned to each hazardous facility perform permanent control over work plans implementation by contractors as well as requirements of industrial safety standards. To achieve this, the Company uses checklists containing the entire range of issues under consideration – starting from document maintenance to work quality and safety. The HSE Department organises regular control field inspections at production facilities.
The control teams include representatives responsible for occupational health, safety and emergency response.
The Company is constantly improving internal procedures aimed at alerting and preventing emergency response cases, thus in 2022 the Company created and maintained alert systems at Nostrum production facilities. The duty dispatch service promptly transmits information about the occurrence of accidents and emergencies to EOS-1 and EOS-2 to notify the management of the Company and government agencies.
In the event of emergency, at the first level of emergency response, regular employees and contractor personnel located at Nostrum production facilities, as well as emergency response teams involved in the accident response are notified. High priority rescue and evacuation activities are performed to protect them. Territorial executive authorities (akimats) are notified of an accident in accordance with the notification scheme in case of a threat of the spread of adverse factors.
In the event of major accidents, operational teams of the second level are organised at the Company's office in Uralsk. If necessary, the evacuation of personnel and communities is organised.
The Company systematically arranges operational control over compliance with industrial safety requirements, internal audits of the management system, conducts analyses of and processes the results of incidents and inspections, develops and monitors the implementation of corrective and preventive actions.
All Nostrum facilities at Chinarevskoye Field and Terminal are fire and explosion hazardous. Therefore, fire safety rules were developed for all facilities and controls over compliance with the rules are in place. These activities include:
In 2022, in line with RoK legislative requirements, Civil Defence Plan annexes were revised. Training in civil defence for personnel training was organised at the Company's offices. A special tactical exercise was conducted with the office staff on emergency evacuation from the building in case of fire and the provision of medical assistance. In 2022, in accordance with the order of the West Kazakhstan Emergency Situations Department, 160 civil gas masks GP-7 with "Breeze" filter boxes were purchased for all office staff.
In 2022, the West Kazakhstan Emergency Situations Department held inspections of the Chinarevskoye field and the office on fire safety, civil defence and emergency situations and no violations were found. During the field inspection on fire safety, 26 violations were identified, all of which have since been addressed.
In 2022, we continued to safeguard our employees and contractors and take necessary safety measures to monitor COVID-19 infection. Regular quartz treatments with UV lamps were conducted in the main office in Uralsk and the field offices. Many employees worked remotely during 2022. In May 2022, the RoK lifted all quarantine restrictions and the number of COVID cases declined by 52% in 2022 as compared to 2021.



Fostering diversity and inclusion is a top challenge and opportunity the world is facing in these times. Businesses play a significant role by focusing on good principles and acting as positive role models. Improving inclusion and diversity within our Group is not only the correct thing to do, we believe that it enhances the qualities that make companies better and stronger as there are synergies created.
Overall, it is about acknowledging, respecting, and appreciating our differences. Not only by simple tolerance, but by understanding of each individual and by the exploration of what makes us different. Inclusive societies give a sense of meaningful belonging. It makes people feel supported and valued, and that is essential for the success of the company organisation. To that end, Nostrum is proud to provide a home to a diverse and inclusive workforce.
Our people really are the most important element of our success. Engaging in people with different assessments and perceptions leads to better decision-making, more innovation, and a deeper commitment in the workplace. It is for these reasons that we pay particular attention to the continuous improvement of diversity and inclusion in our Company.

At the end of 2022 Nostrum employed 566 employees, of whom 78% were male and 22% female (2021: 77% male and 23% female employees). The Company aims to establish KPIs for HR on improving diversity at all levels. In terms of diversity statistics, we would like to stand out by improving female representation at all levels. Nostrum has for several years adopted a corporate Equality and Diversity Policy to further support these ambitions. At the end of 2022, 21% (2021: 23%) of Group employees based in Kazakhstan were female. In the UK, 50% of employees were female (2021: 25%).
| 2022 | 78% | 22% | 566 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 77% | 23% | 559 |
| 2020 | 77% | 23% | 564 |
| 2019 | 75% | 25% | 668 |
| 2018 | 76% | 24% | 820 |
| Male | Female |
We take pride in our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that values and respects the contributions of all employees, regardless of their background or identity.
The Board recognises the importance of continued improvement in this area and is committed to giving due regard to the benefits of diversity in our future appointments, including ensuring Kazakh nationals are properly represented at senior levels of the Company. Currently, 32% of employees at department head level are female (2021: 26%). As at 2022 year-end our Senior Management Team includes 20% of females (2021: 22%). In 2023, one female joined the Senior Management Team, resulting in 27% of females in the SMT. We are targeting to further increase female representation at the senior management and at the department head level. We encourage female job promotions in case of equal competences and capacities. More rapid progress is hampered by the lack of qualified female candidates willing to work in the field, where most of our jobs are situated and on a rotational shift basis. And whilst we are encouraged by our diversity at Board level, we do recognise that diversity remains an ongoing issue in the oil and gas industry, particularly with regard to gender diversity.
Our Human Resources department is working towards a policy of promotion from within and building a pipeline of diverse employees at all levels of the business. In this regard, in 2022, 7.27% of Group recruitment was female (2021: 12.9%). In 2022, two employees took parental leave and four employees returned from parental leave, all female.
The Company also pays particular attention to diversity in terms of nationalities. Although there have been changes in the team, we have been able to maintain diversity by having six different nationalities within our team. The Senior Management Team includes five Kazakh nationals out of the ten members. There were no recorded discrimination incidents raised by any of the Group's employees in 2022.
We recognise that diversity and inclusion are not just buzzwords, but critical elements of our business strategy. We understand that a diverse and inclusive workforce leads to better decision-making, increased innovation, and ultimately, better business results. We are committed to creating an environment where all employees can thrive and reach their full potential.
Board1 Female Male 1 5 17% (2021: 20%)
| SMT | ||
|---|---|---|
| Females | Males | |
| 2 | 8 | |
(2021: 22%)
| Department heads | |
|---|---|
| ------------------ | -- |
| Females | Males | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 17 |
(2021: 26%)
Employees
Female Male
21%
(2021: 23%)
112 419
Over the past year, we have made significant progress in advancing diversity and inclusion (D&I) throughout our organisation. We have implemented various initiatives aimed at promoting diversity, such as inclusive hiring practices, encourage the employees to be inclusive and embrace diversity in the workplace, placing informational materials in the workplace and distributing monthly newsletters to employees with questionnaires and results to increase awareness and sensitivity to diversity considerations and to promote interaction on various D&I topics. We've distributed a video on the importance of the D&I and the specific journey that the Company is taking
in this regard. Our Senior Management Team had a first tailor-made workshop by IOM (MATCH project) on Diversity and Inclusion – Intercultural competence to learn how to create an inclusive workplace and how to make equality, diversity and Inclusion the responsibility of all leaders & managers of our Company. Finally, a guideline to advice and help our employees to create or sustain a pleasant, friendly and full of respect work environment has been distributed.
As a result of our efforts, we have seen a notable increase in the interest over diversity aspects in our workforce, with more employees answering our surveys and addressing questions to the HR department.
In addition to our internal initiatives, we have also made an effort to engage with the broader community on social media by promoting diversity and inclusion. We believe that these communications help us to create a more inclusive environment, not just within our organisation, but also within the broader community.
Moving forward, we remain committed to further advancing diversity and inclusion in our organisation. We have set ambitious targets for the following year, including increasing the representation of women in leadership positions, identifying an internal pool of female talent. This has already started with our succession planning identification programme, determine mentoring and coaching for female employees with potential for career development, expanding diversity and inclusion training programs, and strengthening our interactions with employees to raise awareness and willingness of more proactive role in integrating D&I as the company foundation.
The Company also places particular emphasis on D&I by working on the strategy that the management will adopt, making equity, diversity and inclusion the responsibility of all leaders and managers and committing our Senior Management Team to zero tolerance of harassment and bullying.
With respect to anti-discrimination measures, the Nostrum Code of Conduct protects all employees and contractors against illegal discrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or political opinion.

регистрируемых травм Nostrum prides itself on being an integral community partner and is one of the largest employers in western Kazakhstan, with 98% of Group employees hired locally and 92% of all employees being RoK nationals. At 31 December 2022, Nostrum had a total of 566 staff from 12 countries, broken down by gender as follows (data by age group was not recorded):
We offer all staff members competitive benefits and remuneration packages in compliance with all regulatory, guidelines and requirements, which (to the extent applicable) are also applied to those hired as temporary or part-time employees. Effective 1 January 2022, locally engaged employees had their salary in tenge increased by 8.4% in accordance with the Company's annual wage indexation policy.
In an effort to promote gender equality, we continued to monitor gender pay discrepancies. In 2022, we conducted our own gender pay discrepancy review with a grouping of employees based on their job function, seniority, location and other factors. Based on this analysis, the following observations were drawn:
Despite short-term fluctuations, we will continue focusing on fair and balanced recruitment and promotion processes and regular assessment of skills, alongside increasing representation of women at senior levels and in other parts of our businesses where women are underrepresented and to close the gender pay discrepancy over the long term. The Board will continue to monitor any gender pay discrepancy by defining targets and activities to address any inequalities discovered.
The company has implemented Succession Planning Policy that aims to identify future staffing needs and employees with the skills and potential to be developed for carrying out future management roles.
We believe investing in our people is key to economic self-empowerment in the communities in which we operate. Under the terms of the PSA, we are required to accrue 1% of our annual Chinarevskoye field development costs to be spent on education and training.
In 2022, 507 employees benefited from education and training programmes (2021: 446 employees). Our total Group training costs in 2022 were US\$0.4 million (2021: US\$0.5 million) and the total number of training days in 2022 was 6,961 days (2021: 5,026 days). The reduced training in 2022 relative to 2021 was due to a reduced training budget in line with the PSA.
In 2022, Nostrum supported numerous educational programs, including MBA in Global Banking & Finance, Oil Field Management Fundamentals course, IPMA certification, Oil and gas processing and metering, new technologies for hydrogen sulfide utilisation, Certified LOLER course. raining was undertaken by operational and head office teams, department heads, specialist engineers and other technicians at different levels across the organisation.
HSE training (including fire safety) is carried out at least annually in accordance with our operating practices and as required by the PSA.
As part of the Company's costs optimisation plan, in 2022, 48 employees (of which 38 males and 10 females) were released or agreed to voluntarily resign, and their positions were not filled (2021: 36 employees). This was the main cause of staff turnover. The number and percentage of new employees hired in 2022 was 55 or 10% (of which 4 were females and 51 were males).
In 2018, the Company put collective agreements in place to provide for workforce representation. Sir Christopher Codrington was designated to serve as the Board's liaison for engagement with the workforce. No meetings between Sir Christopher and the workforce took place in 2022, although a mechanism for feedback from the workforce was maintained. In 2023, Chris Hopkinson was appointed as the Company's non-executive director designated with the task of obtaining the views of the Company's workforce and feeding these into the Board's decision-making processes.
The Board of Directors strives to adopt best practices in corporate governance, including engagement with the Group's workforce. In particular, the Board wishes to understand the views of the Group's workforce and to take such views into consideration in Board discussions and decision-making. Communication between the workforce and the Board is often referred to as the "employee voice", and it is hoped that a wide selection of views from the workforce can be gathered through a range of formal and informal channels.
Such channels are intended to help the workforce share ideas and concerns with senior management and the Board. This communication provides useful feedback about business practices from those delivering them and can help empower colleagues. The Board encourages individuals to raise any concerns they may have. Doing so acts as an early warning system for actual or potential problems and helps to manage risk. The Board actively listens to workforce concerns and subsequently provides feedback on how the matter raised has been considered, including any action taken. The Board emphasised that the workforce should feel safe to raise concerns.
Nostrum is committed to maintaining a Group-wide culture that recognises international standards of human rights.

Throughout 2022, the Company had a Human Rights Policy which reflects the desire to comply with industry best practice and the HR department has raised its awareness on the numerous benefits and interests that our Human Rights Policy provide to our organisation.
First and foremost, a Human Rights Policy demonstrates our commitment to upholding fundamental principles of human dignity, respect, and equality. By establishing a framework that promotes fair treatment of employees, stakeholders, and communities, we can enhance our position as a responsible and ethical business that contributes positively to the social and economic development of the regions where we operate.
In addition to these ethical considerations, there are practical benefits. By promoting diversity, inclusion, and non-discrimination, we can attract and retain a more diverse and talented workforce. Furthermore, a Human Rights Policy can help to mitigate legal, financial, and reputational risks associated with human rights violations.
Moreover, a Human Rights Policy can also enhance our relationships with key stakeholders, including customers, investors, regulators, and civil society organisations. By engaging in transparent and constructive dialogue about human rights issues, we can build trust, and credibility.
In 2023, we are committed to developing and implementing a more comprehensive Human Rights Policy that reflects our values, priorities, and obligations under international human rights standards. We recognise that this is a challenging but essential task, and we are committed to working closely with our employees, stakeholders, and partners to achieve our vision of a more just and equitable world.
The Human Rights Policy is in addition to the Nostrum Code of Conduct (Code), which defines the principles that guide business conduct and provides a nonexhaustive outline of what Nostrum considers permissible conduct by its employees. These principles include provisions relating to human rights and diversity in the workplace, insider dealing and insider information.
A copy of the Code is available on the Group's website in both Russian and English and can be downloaded from our website: www.nostrumoilandgas.com.
There are no divisions of the Group (or its vendors) believed to have significant risk of child/forced labour/hazardous work performance by young employees.
Under the Group's standard supply contracts, the Group is entitled to require suppliers to demonstrate compliance with the Code and to hold its suppliers responsible for compliance by their supply chain with equivalent terms.
A copy of our Modern Slavery and Transparency Statement is available on our website: www.nostrumoilandgas.com.
We have a Whistleblowing Policy which takes into account the Whistleblowing Arrangements Code of Practice issued by the British Standards Institute and Public Concern at Work, and which applies to all individuals working for the Group at all levels and grades.
The Whistleblowing Policy sets out details of two compliance liaison officers who speak a variety of languages for the purposes of reporting any concerns. The Whistleblowing Policy is also mentioned in the Code, and a person who reports any matter in good faith will be protected against any sanctions. More information on this matter is provided on page 98.
A copy of the Whistleblowing Policy is available in both Russian and English and on the Company's website. At the time of writing, we have received no reports under our Whistleblowing Policy of forced/ involuntary labour or human trafficking in relation to our business or supply chains. For further details, please see our website: www.nostrumoilandgas.com.


Nostrum seeks to maximise the value we bring to societies by investing in efforts to support economic and community development. Nostrum is a proud community partner and strives to foster a culture of the highest social responsibility promoting environmental cleanliness, high ethical standards, philanthropy and economic civic responsibility. We are pleased that we were able to contribute towards these objectives to promote the well-being of local residents and the communities we operate in.
investments in the country over 25 years
taxes paid since inception
In 2022 we celebrated our 25th year of operations in Kazakhstan. Zhaikmunai is one of the leading employers in northwestern Kazakhstan, 92% of all employees are Kazakhstan's nationals. Throughout the years of its operations, the company actively interacted with the local community, providing sponsorship and charitable assistance to various public associations and local communities. In 2022, the company supplied 24.3% of crude oil production to the domestic market and 100% of its produced dry gas to NC QazaqGaz.
Zhaikmunai has paid over US\$1.1bn of taxes since inception to the local and federal government authorities of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Over 25 years, Zhaikmunai has invested more than US\$2.5bn in the country, and its infrastructure is unique to the region providing significant opportunities.
our operations.
We recognise that we must manage and mitigate any potential risks and impacts associated with our activities to support the communities that may be affected by
Our charity programs focus on improving the social climate and quality of life of the population, our employees, and their family members.
Throughout 2022, the Company continued to pay close attention to projects aimed at supporting the culture, sports, and educational programs and actively interacting with the local community. In 2022, the Company's external social support expenses amounted to US\$0.9 million and included the following:
• our special emphasis is placed on the development of children's sports, Nostrum sponsoring the participation of talented children in Republican sports competitions. In 2022, our regional athletes recorded impressive victories and took first and third place in various categories in the Shotokan Karate-do World Junior Championships.
Nostrum is committed to transparency in its business activities and payments to governments. We have a formal public relations and government relations procedure that regulates our relationships with the local community and with government, and details how and why we engage with various stakeholder groups.
The Company realises the importance of social partnership between business and society for the sustainable development of the regions of its operation and makes a contribution to ensuring favourable conditions and quality of life in the areas of its core business.
In 2022, a total of US\$31.87 million (in 2021: US\$12.65) was paid to governments by Nostrum and its subsidiaries. We will report on 2023 payments to governments in the first half of 2024. For more details, please see the Governance page of our website.
Nostrum takes this civic responsibility seriously with the knowledge that paying the right amount of taxes is directly linked to local economic development and the ability of local government to support its residents.
We are committed to partnering with local companies and in 2022 we spent 54.25 % (in 2021, 64%) of our supplier budget with RoK national suppliers. The decrease is caused by higher restructuring fees paid to external foreign consultants.
Under the terms of the Chinarevskoye PSA, Nostrum is obliged to accumulate a cash reserve liquidation fund which by the end of the PSA should total US\$12.0 million earmarked for the elimination of environmental consequences of our operating activities. At the end of 2022, US\$8.2 million had been accumulated (2021: US\$7.8 million).
For more information on the Group's Anti-Corruption and Bribery Policy, please see page 98.

This section of the strategic report constitutes the Company's Non-financial and Sustainability Information Statement, produced to comply with sections 414CA and 414CB of the Companies Act. The information is incorporated by cross reference.
| Reporting requirements | Policies and standards which govern our approach | Information necessary to understand our business and its impact, policy due diligence and outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental matters | Annual environmental objectives | Environment, pages 70–78 |
| Liquidation fund contribution in accordance with the PSA |
Communities and social review, pages 67–68 | |
| Employees | Group Code of Conduct and Human Rights | Our people, pages 63–66 |
| Whistleblowing policy | Health and safety, pages 57–62 | |
| Health and Safety policy | Total Recordable Injury Frequency, page 57 | |
| Respect for human rights | Modern Slavery Statement | Our people, pages 63–66 |
| Equality and Diversity Policy | ||
| Social matters | Sponsorship of community events | Communities and social review, pages 67–68 |
| Anti-corruption and anti-bribery | Anti-corruption and bribery policy | Communities and social review, pages 67–68 |
| Anti-facilitation of tax evasion policy | Our Governance Framework, pages 96–98 | |
| Payments to governments | ||
| Description of principal risks | Principal risks and uncertainties, pages 40–44 | |
| Description of the business model | Business model, pages 24–25 | |
| Non-financial key performance | Key performance indicators, pages 26–27 | |
| indicators | Our strategic priorities, pages 18–20 |
Our expanded TCFD disclosures can be found on the following pages:
| TCFD Recommendation | TCFD Recommended Disclosure | Where reported |
|---|---|---|
| Governance Disclose the |
a) Describe the board's oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities. |
• Page 80 |
| organisation's governance around climate related risks and opportunities. |
b) Describe management's role in assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities. |
• Page 81 |
| Strategy Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and |
a) Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organisation has identified over the short, medium, and long term. |
• Pages 82–83 |
| b) Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation's business, strategy, and financial planning. |
• Pages 83–84 | |
| opportunities on the organisation's business, strategy, and financial planning where such information is material. |
c) Describe the resilience of the organisation's strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C or lower scenario. |
• Pages 84–85 |
| Risk management Disclose how the organisation identifies, assesses, and manages |
a) Describe the organisation's processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks. |
• Page 86 |
| b) Describe the organisation's processes for managing climate related risks. |
• Page 86 | |
| climate-related risks. | c) Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the organisation's overall risk management. |
• Page 86 |
| Metrics and targets Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate related risks and opportunities where such information is material. |
a) Disclose the metrics used by the organisation to assess climate related risks and opportunities in line with risk management process. |
• Page 87 |
| b) Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2 and if appropriate, Scope 3 GHG emissions, and the related risks. |
• Page 87 | |
| c) Describe the targets used by the organisation to manage climate related risks and opportunities and performance against targets. |
• Page 87 |

Nostrum recognises its impact on the environment and is committed to a transition that results in a cleaner energy mix. We are focused on being a responsible operator whose activities are structured and conducted in a manner that minimises any adverse impacts on the environments in which we work. We abide by RoK regulatory requirements which are modelled on international environmental protection standards and are actively working on emissions and waste reduction initiatives. There were no fines or other sanctions against the Group as regards non-compliance with environmental requirements in 2022.
Nostrum is aware of the nature and scale of the impact of its activities and correlates them with the importance of efficient use of natural resources, as well as preserving a favourable environment and reducing climate risks.
The nature of our business as a producer contributes to GHG emissions and we recognise that we must work to responsibly minimise impact on the climate. Reducing emissions is a corporate goal of top importance.
Nostrum recognises that hydrocarbon exploration and production is a major contributor to GHG emissions and, consequently, we have a responsibility to work to address climate change. One of our key corporate social responsibility goals in 2022 was to minimise the impact of our operations on climate change. This remains a key goal for Nostrum.
Most of our emissions are generated as a result of the combustion of fuel gas within gas turbine units, boilers, process heaters and compressors. There are additional emissions resulting from flaring which happens when there is absolutely no other alternative. Our levels of emissions are decreasing year-on-year and can be viewed in the chart below.
Current and future technological investment is necessary for Nostrum to continue to detect, monitor and prevent GHG emissions. The Company has the following technology in place to proactively monitor, limit and reduce its GHG emissions:
Nostrum structures its activities to ensure compliance with the emissions limits that are established in the Environmental Emissions Permit issued by Kazakhstan and apply internal stretch targets that are much more stringent than those approved by the authorities.
When applying for an Environmental Emissions Permit, draft norms of maximum permissible emissions are calculated and take into consideration the last 2-3 years of historical data.
The Board is responsible for ensuring that Nostrum complies fully with Listing Rule 14.3.27R and Listing Rule 9.8.6R(8) in this annual report. In addition, the Board is also responsible for the governance, strategies, risk assessment, management systems and KPIs that have been established for climate change and GHG emissions.


Nostrum seeks to minimise all GHG emissions and continues to invest in new technologies to improve GHG emissions performance. Nostrum strictly adheres to both UK and Kazakhstan regulatory requirements with regard to GHG emissions and has been monitoring and reporting GHG emissions since 2011.
As part of the new RoK regulations on production and emission reporting, in the first half of 2022, Nostrum has started expansion on its "Automated Reporting System" ("ARS") by including approximately 700 "tags" in the process calculations, allowing real time readout of data directly related to process related GHG emissions.
In 2022, the first two of three phases of the ARS were successfully implemented. The third phase is ongoing and predicts the build up and running of full scale live Chinarevskoye field production accounting. GHG module, encompassing monitoring, reporting, verification and mitigation, as well as non-GHG Air Emissions as an integral part of ESG business process are also covered. Modules calibration is expected in Q3 2023. These actions will ensure full compliance and aid the reporting needs when third party gas will be introduced. In this respect, a start was made to modify the Sulphur Recovery Unit, minimising non-hydrocarbon emissions
once the concentration of tail gas will increase due to third party gas intake.
The objective is to improve surveillance, increase transparency, develop a datadriven culture that provides employees with the ability to identify and act on insights, targeting maximum energy efficiency with a minimum carbon footprint through proper monitoring, process digitalisation, further process optimisation.
As a dual-listed entity, Nostrum adheres to both UK and Kazakhstan reporting requirements. The Company's GHG reporting period is aligned with the period in respect of which the Directors' Report is prepared.
According to the new 2022-2025 Kazakhstan National GHG allocation Plan, 209,803 tonnes of CO2e were allocated to Nostrum. Our actual CO2 emissions in 2022 were 165,995 tonnes and our actual GHG emissions in CO2 equivalent were 169,630 tonnes, which include three other gas types as provided in Table 4 on page 76.
More detailed information on GHG emissions in 2022 are presented on pages 74–77.
| 2022 | 169,630 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 187,479 |
| 2020 | 187,667 |
| 2019 | 223,305 |
| 2018 | 254,715 |
Future GHG GRI 405-1 reduction initiatives
Nostrum is committed to minimising flaring activity and flares only in accordance with the terms of Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy gas flaring permits. Timely maintenance work conducted at our gas treatment facilities has been shown to reduce the risks of emergency or technical flaring, and the implementation of a gas utilisation programme has led to a decrease in gas flaring. A small decrease in gas flaring in 2022 relative to 2021 was due to the smaller scope of planned maintenance in 2022 relative to 2021.
In recent years, the Company has implemented a number of projects which have had a continuous GHG reduction effect, such as:


The Company is also appraising and investing in the following technologies to assist in the proper identification, accounting, and mitigation/reduction of GHG emissions:
The technology for GHG detection and quantification is constantly evolving, however, the Company continues to explore key technologies that will assist with the objective of GHG emissions reduction.
In order to further reduce GHG emissions, the transportation of personnel working at production facilities is made via buses rather than the use of personal vehicles.
Nostrum is also considering various additional GHG reduction initiatives for 2023 and future years.
In 2022, for the fourth consecutive year, we participated in the CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project), which is a key medium for companies to disclose their environmental impact and risk management, as well as continue to focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction strategies.
Our Climate Change response was independently assessed, and in December 2022 Nostrum received an improved "B-" score for the first time since participation in this project. The Water management section was also assessed at "B-". As a result, we met our KPI target for 2022 to get a better score and to move to the Management Band ("B/B-" score) from the previous Awareness Band ("C/C-" score) on Climate change module. This score evidences that the policies and procedures we have developed over recent years are positioning the Company to deal with the issue of climate change now and into the future. In addition, Nostrum with a "B-" score is better positioned than its peers in the oil and gas industry with an average "C" score.

As per subsoil use legislation all production facilities of the subsoil user and land must be brought to a state that ensures safety life, public health and environmental protection. In addition to this, the consequences activities of subsoil users must be liquidated in the manner prescribed by the legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Subsoil use objects are liquidated in accordance with the Liquidation Project, developed by a design organisation that has the appropriate license for performance of works and provision of services in the field of environmental protection. All decommissioning measures are specified in a Liquidation Project developed by NIPI Neftegas.
"As a mission-based non-profit that runs the global environmental disclosure system, CDP greatly values the support of Nostrum. Urgent system-wide action remains critical to ensuring that we can limit global warming to 1.5°C, avoid the worst effects of climate change and safeguard our planet's natural resources. Disclosure is the first key step in addressing current and future environmental risks. Nostrum has demonstrated its commitment to transparency around its environmental impacts and strategies for action by disclosing its environmental data through CDP in 2022. Disclosure not only provides the foundation for environmental action, but brings tangible business benefits for shareholders, customers and employees alike."
Dexter Galvin, CDP Global Director, Corporations & Supply Chains, 2022
The impact of Nostrum's operational activities on the environment is monitored through detailed waste, water and soil management systems. The Group undertakes air, soil and sub-surface water testing to ensure sanitary and epidemiological compliance with Kazakh legislation.
Nostrum monitors its regulatory obligations on an ongoing basis and has systems in place to track and report against these requirements and commitments by performing regular environmental monitoring of waste, water and soil at the Chinarevskoye field.
As part of our environmental responsibilities, we are

aware of the criticality of water resources in water scarce regions where we operate and recognise that availability of fresh water is valuable. Therefore, it is a priority for us to efficiently manage water consumption and we endeavour to implement the most efficient water management methods in order to handle fresh water in a rational and sustainable way.
We seek to fully understand and minimise our operational water footprint and manage our activities in a way that protects our shared water resources. We are committed to ensuring good water management is in place at all of our assets and undertake detailed assessments, target setting, monitoring and implementation of corrective actions.
Waste management includes the daily control of sites for temporary storage of production and consumption waste, accounting, transportation and transfer to a third-party contractor.
All generated waste is transferred under a contract to the following third-party specialised organisations:
In 2022, the volume of waste generated at the Company's facilities totalled 2,865 tonnes, consisting of 40 different types of industrial (used filters, cartridges, medical wastes, batteries, etc.) and domestic waste (plastic bottles, used paper), 86% of which was transferred for processing by the abovementioned contracted companies.
Drilling waste was processed in the Field by Help Ecoil. Soil and water survey results demonstrated compliance with all applicable environmental legislation.
| Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waste generated, tonnes | 21,855 | 2,151 | 2,876 | 2,865 |
| Transferred for processing, tonnes | 15,059 | 1,496 | 2,699 | 2,462 |
| Transferred for processing, % | 68.90% | 69.50% | 93.80% | 85.93% |
Nostrum's water injection requirements are up to 1,200 m3 per day (average injection approximately 900 m3 per day), of which 500-650 m3 per day are injected from formation water production. The deficit is compensated through production from water wells. None of these water wells competes with fresh water supply to nearby communities. Five out of seven injectors are currently in operation with one disposal well used as a backup. The current system has sufficient capacity and flexibility to handle forecasted water injection volumes.
The Company has initiated a series of measures to improve formation water treatment and injection processes. These measures include focusing its resources on process improvement in the treatment of water used in upstream operations which will lead to combating corrosion, reducing oil contamination, reducing growth of sulfate, reducing bacteria and the formation of inorganic scale. A full review was initiated in 2021 on process effectiveness and chemical efficiencies and mitigating actions taken. The deliverable of this review is to ensure compliance with Kazakhstan's environmental regulations and has the additional benefit of reducing water treatment costs.

Recycled processed water
Water Treatment & Injection System Upgrade Phase I project is in the final stage. Achieved some improvement by modifying injection points of applied chemicals and adding a second water storage tank (less suspended solids in water). Field trials by different vendors are ongoing. In case no substantial improvement can be granted by chemicals dosing than the possible solution and associated costs (as well as approximate improvement of the problem) will be searched in Phase II of the project which will potentially include modification/ adjustment of existing vessels/Introduction of new vessels/Re-allocation of different water streams or a mixed solution of these options with different chemicals application.

Reasonable and careful conservation of the ecosystem with clean water, access to water resources is one of the main factors of sustainable development. The Company's main approach to solving the problem of rational water use is to use water recycling and reuse systems, increasing the degree of wastewater treatment and reducing water abstraction from natural sources.
To prevent the negative impact of wastewater on the environment, we process wastewater using special artificial reservoirs such as evaporation ponds, filtration fields and a landfill for formation water and industrial wastewater.
We have the following artificial ponds:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Disposal indices | Permitted | Actual | Permitted | Actual | Permitted | Actual |
| Disposed Sanitary Wastewater, m3 | 85,775 | 25,090 | 85,775 | 26,188 | 85,775 | 26,191 |
| Discharges to ponds evaporators, m3 GTU-1,2,3 |
84,810 | 21,398 | 84,810 | 22,338 | 84,810 | 44,748 |
| Drilling wastewater and associated water, m3 | 45,900 | 1,740 | 45,900 | 4,573 | 35,000 | 2,757 |
For more detailed information, please visit our website at www.nostrumoilandgas.com.
During 2022, the Company issued on its website the "Methane Statement" and developed an "Energy Efficiency report" with short, medium and long term ESG targets. Nostrum continues to review and expand on metrics for reporting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. A set of short/long-term actions with accounted metrics and interim targets has been established in 2022 addressing all areas and entities of energy efficiency improvement.
| Based on 2022 approved project list | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Projected % reduction of GHG emissions comparing to 2022 baseline* | 5% | 8% | 10% |
| Projected % reduction of non-GHG emissions comparing to 2022 baseline* | 5% | 8% | 10% |
| Projected % reduction of waste comparing to 2022 baseline* | 8% | 12% | 15% |
| Projected % reduction of water use comparing to 2022 baseline* | 5% | 10% | 10% |
* Targets are for current CHN operating module only. New strategic projects will have its own targets
In 2022, in accordance with the Rules of Determination of Rate for Support of Renewable Energy Resources (RES), Nostrum purchased 1,580 thousand kWh of electricity from environmentally safe RES for own needs, representing 1.7% of Nostrum's total electricity consumption. The RES are provided by "Settlement and Financial Center to Support Renewable Energy Sources" LLP.
| Year | Total energy use, kWh |
Renewable energy use, kWh |
% of renewable energy use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 155,938,801 | 536,242 | 0.34% |
| 2019 | 110,007,715 | 2,122,070 | 1.93% |
| 2020 | 97,611,929 | 2,064,228 | 2.11% |
| 2021 | 93,236,708 | 2,156,969 | 2.31% |
| 2022 | 92,702,024 | 1,580,212 | 1.70% |
In 2023, we will continue to take action for developing renewable energy sources of energy saving and energy efficiency.
Kazakhstan signed the Paris Agreement on August 2, 2016 and ratified it on November 4 of the same year. All Parties to the Paris Agreement have their own commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Kazakhstan has set itself an ambitious unconditional goal – by 2030 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15% from the 1990 level.
Starting from 2021, quotas are based entirely on the application of the benchmarking method. Greenhouse gas emission quotas in the National GHG allocation plan for 2021 were calculated by multiplying the benchmarks by the average value of production for 2017-2019.
In the National GHG allocation plan for 2022-2025 quotas to companies were also calculated entirely by applying the benchmarking method. Carbon credits in the National GHG allocation for 2022-2025 were calculated by multiplying the benchmarks by the average value of production for 2017-2019. considering commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The following GHG quotas have been set for Nostrum in a National GHG allocation plan for 2022-2025.
| 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 209 803 | 206 650 | 203 562 | 200 495 |
Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) sources are flares, heaters, incinerators, boilers, gas turbine plants, electric power stations and compressors.
Total direct GHG emissions (Scope 1) subdivided by gas types and by sources are summarised below in Tables 1 and 2. No further ecological data is available for publication. Consequently, additional disclosures in relation to materials used, products and services, waste management, water consumption, energy consumption and energy efficiency, emergency and intermittent pollution episodes, wastewater discharges, atmospheric emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, environmental protection and biodiversity are not possible.
The Company carried out inaugural works on preparing an analysis and calculations for Scope 3 GHG emissions for one category (category 5 – Waste Generated in Operations) for 2022 (352 tons of CO2 for one category in 2022). This is the Company's first step in disclosing Scope 3 emissions. Detailed results of Scope 3 calculations on Wastes generated in Operations will be covered in CDP submission for 2022.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide | 195,453 | 242,276 | 244,379 | 213,520 | 180,527 | 180,922 | 165,995 |
| Methane | 10,817 | 10,723 | 8,436 | 8,429 | 6,133 | 5,614 | 3,600 |
| Nitrous oxide | 1,046 | 1,305 | 1,304 | 1,034 | 917 | 903 | 7 |
| Hydrofluorocarbons | 345 | 28 | 37 | 24 | 28 | 28 | 24 |
| Total | 207,350 | 254,332 | 254,156 | 223,008 | 187,598 | 187,467 | 169,625 |
A breakdown of GHG emissions by gas type is shown in Table 1. The GHG emissions predominantly consisted of carbon dioxide and methane. Scope 1 emissions are generated directly by equipment owned and operated by the Group. The equipment includes boilers, heaters, diesel stations, gas turbine units and compressors. Scope 1 emissions also include flaring and hydrofluorocarbons emitted by refrigeration units and climate control systems, such as air conditioners.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stationary combustion | 195,576 | 243,001 | 245,362 | 214,536 | 181,403 | 181,765 | 166,284 |
| Mobile combustion | 758 | 435 | 105 | 89 | 66 | 86 | 112 |
| Fugitive sources | 11,016 | 10,896 | 8,536 | 8,359 | 6,130 | 5,616 | 3,229 |
| Total | 207,350 | 254,332 | 254,003 | 223,008 | 187,599 | 187,467 | 169,625 |
Stationary combustion sources formed the majority of emitted GHGs.
Nostrum does not use purchased steam, heating or cooling. Electrical power is the only purchased power related to indirect GHG emissions and it is supplied to Nostrum facilities via the Zelenovskaya distribution network (ZapKazREK JSC), through its subsidiary Batys Energoresursy LLC. The regional emission factor (0.27086 tCO2/MWh) was calculated using Methodological Guidelines for the Calculation of GHG Emissions from Electrical Power Stations and Boiler Houses (Astana, 2010) and the regional net thermal efficiency of Urals Natural Gas Fired Power Plants (73.3%).
Total direct and indirect GHG emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) and total GHG emissions are summarised in Table 3.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct energy (Scope 1) | 207,350 | 254,332 | 254,156 | 223,008 | 187,599 | 187,467 | 169,625 |
| Indirect energy (Scope 2) | 2,263 | 640 | 559 | 297 | 68 | 12 | 5 |
| Total | 209,613 | 254,972 | 254,715 | 223,305 | 187,667 | 187,479 | 169,630 |
Tonnes of CO2 per tonne of output is a recommended intensity ratio for the oil and gas sector, as per Appendix F of the UK Government's Defra Environmental Reporting Guidelines (2013). Taking into account the variety of products of Nostrum – crude oil, stabilised condensate, LPG and dry gas – the chosen intensity ratio is expressed in metric tonnes of CO2e (mtCO2e) per tonne of oil equivalent (mmboe).
Table 4 shows intensity ratios for total (Scope 1 and Scope 2) emissions in the period 2016-2022.
| 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Production, tonnes of oil equivalent | |||||||
| (toe) | 2,156,171 | 2,088,917 | 1,878,026 | 1,520,928 | 1,186,383 | 907,648 | 703,430 |
| tCO2/toe | 0.097 | 0.122 | 0.136 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 |
| Production, mmboe | 14.8 | 14.3 | 12.9 | 10.0 | 8.1 | 6.2 | 4.8 |
| tCO2/mmboe | 14,193 | 17,820 | 19,801 | 21,434 | 23,094.8 | 30,157 | 35,207 |
| 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross emissions of air pollutants into atmosphere | 0.0037 | 0.0035 | 0.0048 | 0.0060 |
| Current reporting year 2023 | Comparison reporting year 2022 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK and offshore1 |
Global (excluding UK and offshore) |
UK and offshore1 |
Global (excluding UK and offshore) |
|
| Emissions from activities which the Company owns or controls, including combustion of fuel & operation of facilities (Scope 1) tCO2e |
No data collection |
169,625.0 | No data collection |
187,467.0 |
| Emissions from purchase of electricity, heat, steam and cooling purchased for own use (Scope 2, location-based) tCO2e |
No data collection |
4.9 | No data collection |
12.2 |
| Total gross Scope 1 + Scope 2 emissions tCO2e |
No data collection |
169,629.9 | No data collection |
187.479.3 |
| Energy consumption used to calculate Scope 1 emissions: kWh |
No data collection |
No data collection | No data collection |
No data collection |
| Energy consumption used to calculate Scope 2 emissions: kWh |
No data collection |
No data collection | No data collection |
No data collection |
| Total energy consumption used to calculate Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions: kWh |
No data collection |
377 037 468.4 | No data collection |
377 064 532.4 |
| Intensity ratio: tCO2e (gross Scope 1 + 2)/ mmboe |
No data collection |
35,207.0 | No data collection |
30,157.0 |
| Methodology | No data collection |
Kazakhstan methodical guidelines. KwH calculated based on 1.36E+15 J own generated energy plus purchased electricity. |
No data collection |
Kazakhstan methodical guidelines. KwH calculated based on 1.36E+15 J own generated energy plus purchased electricity. |
| Principal measures taken for the purpose of increasing the Company's energy efficiency. |
None | None | None | Nostrum replaced oil heaters with heaters powered by gas; installed devices at well-sites to automatically close the wells in the case of shutdown, preventing blowdown by flaring; and installed measuring devices in flowlines and other devices allowing for future optimisation. Following an energy efficiency audit, Nostrum replaced 115 fluorescent lamps with LED lamps. |
The Company's main priority is the compliance with all RoK legal requirements in the field of environment protection, labour conditions at production facilities and health protection. In this regard, Zhaikmunai exercises in-process control in various fields.
IEM has been performed under the Industrial Environmental Monitoring Program developed based on requirements of RoK Environmental Code and other environmental regulatory & procedural documents and instructions. The program provides for environmental emissions monitoring and environmental medium impact monitoring of Zhaikmunai operations.
Ambient air quality study was made in Beles, Sulukol, Chinarevo villages at Chinarevskoye Field sanitary protection zone (hereinafter "CF"), Camp-3, transfer point at Terminal and sanitary protection zone of Oil Loading Terminal.
Water samples were taken from Yembulatovka River, evaporation ponds at GTU-1/2 and GTU-3 and from sewage treatment plant of Camp-3. Soil samples were taken once a year at sanitary protection zone: CF, Oil Terminal, transfer point, Camp-3.
In-process control in Zhaikmunai canteens is performed on a quarterly basis. Samples of cooked dishes, salads, wash-offs and water were taken for bacteriological and chemical analysis. Measurements of lighting, microclimate, noise and ventilation system operation measurements were made at working places. Remedial actions were undertaken to address noncompliance, and exactly – lighting equipment replaced, air conditioners repaired, bactericidal lamp replaced in the water treatment system.
Air measurement at work space, measurement of lighting, microclimate, noise, vibration, electromagnetic field and power station were made to identify discrepancies at the workplace.
All necessary measurements and investigations at Zhaikmunai LLP facilities are carried out by specialized contractor companies that work on a contract basis and have all permits (accreditation certificate) to perform the abovementioned works. The results of in-process control are reported to relevant regulatory authorities. Industrial environmental control report is uploaded to electronic environmental portal.
In May 2022, Sanitary and Epidemiological Control Department of Baiterek Region conducted an inspection of catering unit at Oil Terminal. This inspection identified no violations.
No sanitary and epidemiological control inspections were made at the remaining Zhaikmunai LLP facilities in 2022 due to the fact that no violations were identified during inspection in 2021.
In 2022 Zhaikmunai participated in the republican competition on social responsibility of business "Paryz-2022". This competition has been held on the initiative of the first President of the country since 2008.
In accordance with the Rules, the awarding of the titles of laureates of the competition is carried out in the following nominations:
In November 2022 the Company received «Paryz» awards including Diploma signed by Mr. President Tokayev on a country level and Diploma from Akim of the West Kazakhstan on a regional level «For Contribution to the Environment» as we have significantly distinguished ourselves in the implementation of environmental programs aimed at improving the state of the environment category.

We are fully committed to following TCFD's recommendations and will continue our journey of continuous improvement of disclosures and reporting on how climate-related risks can impact Nostrum's operations and how our strategies and mitigating plans evolve to ensure we maintain a sustainable business in line with the stakeholders' expectations.
We are working towards making our climate-related financial disclosures fully compliant with the TCFD Recommendations and Recommended Disclosures and hence compliant with FCA Listing Rule 9.8.6R (8).
We have made below disclosures against each TCFD Recommendation and Recommended Disclosure – noting where the Company is in full or partial compliance or where further work is planned to be undertaken to report in the 2023 Annual Report & Accounts.
When making assessments and preparing disclosures we have considered whether particular issues and related information may influence the economic decisions of the stakeholders. Such approach is in line with guidance and recommendations provided by TCFD in relation to materiality of information. Furthermore, the process of assessment of risks and their potential financial impact involved use of judgements and estimates, which we believe are consistent with the TCFD Recommendations and Recommended Disclosures.

risks and opportunities.
Read more about our governance on pages 88-127.
The table below sets out some examples from where the Board and its committees considered climate-related issues in 2022 and 2023 to date:
| Forum | How climate-related matters have been considered | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Board | The Board and its associated committees, including the Strategy, Audit and Nomination and Governance Committees, (and Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee in 2022) where appropriate, have oversight of climate related matters, which include climate risks and opportunities. Material issues and principal risks, including climate change indicators, are reviewed by the Board and committees. |
|||||||
| Monitoring and performing management | ||||||||
| The Board recognises that there may be potential financial implications in the future from changes in legislation and regulations intended to address climate change risk. In relation to these matters the Board also: |
||||||||
| • Reviews material issues and principal risks, including climate change indicators; | ||||||||
| • Sets general policy related to climate risks and opportunities, identifies where further actions are required and delegates authorities accordingly. This includes progress on emissions reduction, general environmental performance, developments in climate-related regulation and cost impacts; |
||||||||
| • Approves material issues and principal risks, including climate change indicators and progress against those KPIs monitored. |
||||||||
| Risk Management | ||||||||
| ESG matters form an integral part of the areas covered by the Group's systems of risk management and internal controls, and the Board recognises their significance and importance. Identified ESG risks and related responses can be seen within Operational, Climate Change and Other risks in the "Principal risks and uncertainties" disclosure on pages 40–44. |
||||||||
| The Board receives appropriate information for managing such risks. Management is responsible for ensuring that systems of risk management and internal control are in place to effectively manage and monitor climate-related risks and other ESG matters. |
||||||||
| Capital or operating expenditure | ||||||||
| Significant capex or operating expenditures are also considered from the perspective of their climate-related impact. | ||||||||
| Audit | Following areas of the Audit Committee responsibilities are relevant for the climate-related matters: | |||||||
| Committee | • Oversight of management's process for identifying ESG risks and internal controls processes to ensure the accuracy and completeness of ESG information; |
|||||||
| Read more on pages 99–105 |
• Monitoring of the performance against agreed and defined KPIs in respect of the Group's ESG financial reporting disclosures and seeking independent assurance on behalf of the Board, where appropriate; |
|||||||
| • Review of the Company's disclosures in the annual report in relation to the TCFD Disclosures and climate-related emerging risks. |
||||||||
| Strategy Committee |
Emerging risks are identified, assessed and monitored at the HSE and ESG Committees led by CEO, and further escalated by CEO to the Strategy Committee of the Board, where necessary. Annual KPIs relating to climate change and emissions targets are approved by the Board and progress against those KPIs monitored. |
|||||||
| The newly established Strategy Committee is responsible for advising the Board on short-term, medium-term and long-term strategic decisions of the Company, including: |
||||||||
| • Assessing the corporate and strategic performance of the Company and its subsidiaries, and forming a wide view on the adequacy of progress made in achieving strategic objectives and outcomes, and of the systems to measure, monitor and deliver on them. |
||||||||
| • Supporting the Board and Senior Management in formulating the overall strategy for the Company, with particular emphasis on horizon scanning, priorities, activities and outcomes. |
||||||||
| • Considering reports on overall performance in respect of the achievement of the objectives and outcomes contained within the Corporate Strategy. |
||||||||
| • Engaging in discussions with the Board on the development, content and review of strategic plans stemming from the Corporate Strategy. |
||||||||
| • Reviewing determined KPIs to assess performance with respect to the Group's strategy; | ||||||||
| • Reviewing and approving the Business Plan and Budget for the Company and its subsidiaries for each financial year and recommending for approval by the full Board. |

Until the end of 2022, the Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee provided a deep-dive in HSEC areas (including climate change) to the Board. Since the restructuring completed in 2023, the newly formed HSE and ESG committees on the level of Senior Management have responsibility for ESG related matters including climate-change related issues and execution of ESG-related targets and projects. Both committees are sponsored and chaired by the Chief Executive Officer, with meetings held prior to each Board meeting. Members of the Board have standing invitations to attend the HSE and ESG Committee meetings.
The Chief Executive Officer reports at Board meetings on HSE and ESG matters including performance against climatechange related KPIs. The Chief Operating Officer is responsible for day-to-day operations, including the identification and evaluation of climate-related risks and opportunities. The Group Head of QHSE is responsible for the day-to-day management of HSE matters including climate-change related risks. Both the Chief Operating Officer and Group Head of QHSE report directly to the Chief Executive Officer.
The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Group Head of QHSE together with appropriate operational staff meet at least eight times a year at HSE Committee meetings. The HSE Committee monitors all HSE matters
including those relating to climate-change, monitoring and reducing emissions, progress against KPIs, water and waste management, compliance with RoK statutory emissions, the climate-related impact of any significant capex or operating expenditure and identifying and agreeing on a course of action on climate-related initiatives, including energy reduction/ transition, emission management and prevention of unnecessary flaring. The HSE Committee also assesses preparedness and ensures focus in respect of statutory reporting requirements such as TCFD and changing legislative environments and investor requirements in the UK, Kazakhstan and internationally. Climaterelated matters discussed at the HSE Committee drive climate related KPIs proposed by management to the Board.
Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organisation's businesses, strategy, and financial planning where such information is material.
Read more about our strategy on pages 18–20.
The following table outlines the climaterelated risks (transition and physical) and opportunities identified as relevant to Nostrum. The impact of these risks and opportunities in the short, medium, and long term horizons is indicated in the table.
| Transition Risks | Short term |
Medium term |
Long term |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Policy and Legal |
• Regulatory and statutory reporting obligations by the Republic of Kazakhstan leading to higher compliance costs. |
|||
| • Global and regional litigation relating to climate change that lead to present or future financial obligations for the Group. These include, but not limited to, imposition of carbon taxation, fines for flaring or more punitive mineral extraction State taxation. |
||||
| • Policy changes that potentially lead to early asset retirement, such as emissions targets which put pressure on E&Ps to cease operations. Further changes include carbon pricing which may make operations commercially unviable and fast-track the retirement of our assets. |
||||
| Technology • New capital investments that reduce emissions may lead to reallocation of internal funds for investment purposes. Capital may be dedicated to non-value accretive ventures and there may be ongoing costs associated to adopting the technology. |
||||
| Market | • Changing global demand for products may result in lower demand for Nostrum's product base and decrease in revenues. |
|||
| • Hydrocarbon market prices across all Nostrum's products (Brent crude oil, stabilised condensate, LPG, dry gas). |
||||
| • Increased cost of raw materials due to climate related supply disruptions. |
||||
| Reputation | • Increased stakeholder concerns may result in key stakeholders becoming disengaged with the investment story. |
|||
| • Changing perception of climate change may limit Nostrum's access to capital markets for future growth opportunities. |
||||
| Physical Risks | ||||
| Acute | • Severe weather events such as floods from local rivers that lead to disruption in our field production and sales to final off-taker customers. |
|||
| Chronic | • Severe weather events such as increased snow and rain can lead to disruption in our field production and sales to final off-taker customers. |
|||
| Opportunities | ||||
| Resource efficiency |
• Reduced water usage and consumption can lead to reduced operating costs. |
|||
| • Making head office and field buildings energy efficient will lead to lower costs, higher fixed asset valuations and increased employee satisfaction. |
||||
| Energy source |
• Continued use of own gas for electricity needs means no exposure to power price increases in the region. • Investment in new technologies to become |
|||
| energy efficient may result in lower GHG emissions. |
For the purpose of TCFD reporting the Board and Senior Management Team define time horizons as the following:
Short term: four-year period to the end of 2026 as defined by a business plan covering the period of the debt post-restructuring. The Company has a detailed financial plan which is actively managed and adapted according to changes in external circumstances. The International Energy Agency's Sustainable Development Scenario forecasts fossil fuels to remain in the energy mix for a reasonable period; and as such we deem the climate-related risks to be present in the short-term but not as prevalent as they would be in the medium and long term.
Medium term: 10-year period to the end of 2032. This covers the full term of the PSA and is defined by annual cash flow and valuation models for the Chinarevskoye field and the signed Ural O&G processing agreement. Projections over the medium term will adjust according to the longer-term Sustainable Development Scenarios. Climate-related risks are factored into investment decisions on the Chinarevskoye field. Economics assessments are performed on various hydrocarbon price and off-take demand scenarios and, where investment hurdles are not met, the Board will not incorporate those field investment proposals into the Group's strategy.
Long term: period covering beyond 2031. This is defined by opportunities identified in line with the Group's strategic initiatives. We believe that the biggest climate-related risks will impact our strategy in the long term. To execute our strategic initiatives, we may require access to financial and capital markets. As the shift towards a cleaner global economy accelerates, we may find finance providers want to reduce their exposure to the oil and gas sector and our ability to borrow to fund large-scale investment programmes may be limited. Other risks include the ability to access the insurance markets for standard oil and gas insurance which might leave the Company exposed to extreme negative events.
Policy and legal risks which Nostrum is facing, similar to other players in the oil & gas industry, through increased statutory regulation, through carbon taxes or punitive flaring fines or outright bans in various jurisdictions. These pressures may lead to increased financial costs for the business through future taxes, penalties and fines. We believe this risk is relatively small in the short-term but grows over time as the global movement towards net zero strengthens.
Technological risks are highlighted as a risk that will impact the Company in the medium and long-term. We believe as global and jurisdictional legislation evolves, we may need to allocate capital into emissions reduction investments such as carbon capture and storage. The financial impact on the Company can result from pressure to invest capital into non-value accretive projects (i.e. projects that do not provide direct revenue) and therefore impacting the medium-long term value of the Company. In the short-term, we do not face pressures to invest in such technologies.
Market risks exist through reduction in fossil fuel demand and, hence, a reduction in our revenues, although we view this risk to be more prevalent in the medium and long term. In the short-term, the Company has long-standing offtake relationships which guarantees short-term demand for products. However, we note in the longer term our customers may transition away from fossil fuels and, hence, the financial impact on the Company will be through reduced revenues.
Reputational risks include facing increasing pressure from our shareholders and noteholders to transition towards cleaner hydrocarbons and energy sources, but also increasing difficulty in accessing financing for various projects. We believe this risk is less of a concern in the short-term since the Company has longstanding relations with its key shareholders (and noteholders through the restructuring) and has no concern over pressures to adopt stricter measures, nor has access to the capital markets been restricted. We do however feel this becomes a bigger risk in the medium and long term.
Physical risks we face today include severe snow conditions that make operating the field difficult and can lead to disruptions to production. As climate change continues on the path it is today, we believe these severe weather events will occur more
regularly and during unexpected periods of time and may further impact the business operationally and financially. Today, we operate successfully in the middle of winter where temperatures on the ground can drop to -300 C. If temperatures were to drop lower due to climate change, this could impact operations negatively. Further, flood events with overflowing riverbanks can severely impact our ability to transport LPG to the market and hence reduce our revenues.
Opportunities exist through the use of our own gas for electricity needs. We do this today and will continue to do this in the medium and longer-term to be as resourceful as possible. Financially, this saves us money by not purchasing electricity from the grid. Making our offices energy efficient is an opportunity that has been identified for the medium-to-long term.
We acknowledge that the transition to a lower carbon economy presents both risks and opportunities for Nostrum. As described above, the impact on our short-term strategy and financial planning remains minimal, but we have in place the necessary flexibility to adapt as and when we see the risks evolve. In respect of medium term and long-term financial planning, we are cognizant of the climaterelated risks and our ability to execute various projects. Hurdle rates have increased on various investment proposals with carbon intensity, stressed hydrocarbon price scenarios and energy demand scenarios factored into decision papers. With respect to physical risks, we have factored this into our strategic planning through extended and more frequent maintenance periods. This reflects a period of downtime during which operations and revenues cease.
We deem all transition risks (policy and legal, market, technological and reputation) to be material for the business in our strategic and financial planning. The transition risks, as outlined in (a) above, impact (i) reduced demand and lower pricing for our final products – resulting in lower future revenues, (ii) higher supply and material costs in our supply chain as suppliers shift away from servicing the oil and gas industry leaving a small number of viable options, (iii) high investment spend
relating to climate risk mitigation activities through increased spend on climaterelated research and development and operationally through increased downtime due to extreme weather events.
All transition risks are provided equal weighting in our future business, strategy and financial planning. For physical risks, while important from a governance perspective, we apply a slightly lower weighting in our planning. Whilst present, we deem the financial and operational impact to be lower as we currently operate successfully in extreme weather today and believe we will do so going forwards. We take a conservative approach in our forward planning and therefore do not factor in opportunities that may arise in the short, medium or long-term through climate change.
As described in the Governance section, we have a robust climate-change governance matrix in place to consider these risks widely. We have now devoted more resources into this governance matrix (including reporting) and these features in our future strategic and financial planning. The matrix looks at the strength of the risks and opportunities identified in a) above across the short, medium and long-term and assesses which of those risks has a direct financial impact.
In our CDP Climate Change submission for 2022, we estimated the financial impact of several of the transition and physical risks outlined above. Our ambition is to upgrade the climate disclosure area and CDP rating for our Climate Change response and Water. Based on the results of the disclosure of data on the use and conservation of water resources the CDP climate rating has been improved to "B-" in 2022 from "C" in 2021, which is in line with the global industry indicator.
We adopted the Sustainable Development Scenarios (SDS) referenced in the World Energy Outlook 2021. The SDS represents a gateway to the outcomes targeted by the Paris Agreement and is based on a surge in clean energy policies, investment in clean technologies and assumes all net zero pledges are achieved in full (advanced economies by 2050, China by 2060 and all other countries by 2070). Under SDS, global temperatures rise to 1.65°C with 50% probability and a rise of 1.5°C reached by 2100.
We refer to the Viability Statement sections where we consider the resilience of our strategy in the short term pursuant to the SDS. Following outlines our key SDS policy assumptions and the specific policy measure assumptions that will impact the business:

assessment
• Flat reduction in hydrocarbon demand by 10% in the next three years. • Compliance cost increase of \$2 million per annum to account for breaches in sulphur requirement (estimate).
• 5% higher operating expenses and 5% higher capital expenses assumed for upgrade works and ongoing maintenance to make Nostrum's
• \$2 million per annum compliance cost for pollution limit breaches.
• 5% higher general & administrative costs for efficiency appliances in the head and regional offices as well as energy performance standard impositions.
• 5% reduction in sales volumes as:
emissions quotas.
technology.
• LPG sales are delayed due to renting / purchasing emission compliant vehicles for transportation. • Crude and condensate volumes as shipping offtakers for those products face difficulty in chartering ships whilst meeting international
• 5% higher capital expenditures as the Company begins research and development into emissions-reducing
facilities efficient.
• Maximum sulphur content of oil and gas
• Policies promoting production and use of alternative fuels and technologies
prevents the refurbishment of old inefficient fossil fuel plants • Stringent pollution emissions limits
• Mandatory energy performance standards for appliances • Net zero requirements for all new
• Energy efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction measures in buildings
• Emission limit restrictions on light and
• GHG emissions reduction strategy for
• Mandatory energy management systems
products capped
(including CCUS)
by 2030
limits
buildings by 2030
heavy-duty vehicles
international shipping
or energy audits
| Specific measure impacting Nostrum's strategy | Application of measure to Nostrum Viability assessment |
The Group's application of the SDS policy measure assumptions (shown in the third |
|---|---|---|
| • Staggered introduction of CO2 prices • Maximum sulphur content of oil and gas products capped • Policies promoting production and use of alternative fuels and technologies (including CCUS) |
• Flat reduction in hydrocarbon demand by 10% in the next three years. • Compliance cost increase of \$2 million per annum to account for breaches in sulphur requirement (estimate). |
column) is a high-level conservative estimate. In the absence of detailed analysis, we chose extreme scenarios to test our short-term strategy against the SDS scenario. We intend to perform a further assessment of these specific policy measures and the likely quantitative impact to our strategy across all time horizons in 2023. Our assessment will involve working out our strategy and operational activities around this climate change scenario, setting |
| • Efficiency and emissions standards that prevents the refurbishment of old inefficient fossil fuel plants • Stringent pollution emissions limits |
• 5% higher operating expenses and 5% higher capital expenses assumed for upgrade works and ongoing maintenance to make Nostrum's facilities efficient. • \$2 million per annum compliance cost for pollution limit breaches. |
targets and communicating those in next year's TCFD reporting. Stressing our short-term financial projections for these high-level conservative policy measure assumptions demonstrates that the Company's strategy in the short-term is resilient taking into account a 1.65°C climate-related scenario. Furthermore, it is our view that the Company has a solid financial base and sufficient flexibility in its business plan to be able to adjust adequately to extreme climate-related |
| • Phase out least efficient appliances by 2030 • Mandatory energy performance standards for appliances • Net zero requirements for all new buildings by 2030 • Energy efficiency and CO2 emissions reduction measures in buildings |
• 5% higher general & administrative costs for efficiency appliances in the head and regional offices as well as energy performance standard impositions. |
impacts. Please refer to the Viability section on pages 45–46 for further details of the assessment. Our strategy is validated annually by the Board of Directors to ensure it remains relevant and resilient. Please refer to the Governance process for further details. The strategy will be adjusted if there are significant changes in the wider global environment. In this context, the Company notes new strategy as a mixed-assets |
| • On road vehicle stock emissions intensity limits • Emission limit restrictions on light and heavy-duty vehicles • GHG emissions reduction strategy for international shipping |
• 5% reduction in sales volumes as: • LPG sales are delayed due to renting / purchasing emission compliant vehicles for transportation. • Crude and condensate volumes as shipping offtakers for those products face difficulty in chartering ships whilst meeting international emissions quotas. |
energy company which encompasses strategic initiative of becoming a mid stream operator by processing stranded raw gas streams in the region. |
| • Policies to support CCUS • Mandatory energy management systems or energy audits |
• 5% higher capital expenditures as the Company begins research and development into emissions-reducing |
technology.
Disclose how the organisation identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks.
a) Describe the organisation's processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks;
b) Describe the organisation's processes for managing climaterelated risks;
c) Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the organisation's overall risk management.
Read more about our risk management on pages 38–39.
Nostrum has a robust governance structure through which climate-related risks are identified and managed. Specifically, the ESG and HSE Committees are the conduit through which climate-related risk management is enacted. The ESG and HSE Committees operate under the principle of 5 pillars:
The fifth pillar is an integral part of our climate-related risk identification, assessment, and management process. Both classifications of climate-related risks (transition risks and physical risks) are considered as part of the process.
The ESG and HSE Committees oversee the design and implementation of systems of climate-related risk management and internal controls and manages and reports on risks. The Group Head of QHSE supports the Chief Executive Officer in its oversight and monitoring role and performs management and reporting on the risks.
The QHSE department is responsible for identifying climate-related risks which include potential effects on operations at asset level, performance and Group level and developments at regional level from transition to lower carbon economy or extreme weather events.
The processes described above are embedded into our overall Group Risk Management framework and form an integral part of Nostrum's risk management and internal controls system. We include "climate change risks" as a principal risk and uncertainty on our Company risk register (see page 43) thus allowing the ESG and HSE Committees to manage any identified risks. This risk covers both physical and transitional climate-related risks and is reviewed annually by the Nostrum Board of Directors.

Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks and opportunities where such information is material.
Nostrum uses several metrics across the transition and physical risks spectrum to assess climate-related risks. For climate change our key risk metric is focusing on carbon emissions, air quality and flaring frequency. All of these are measured, managed and reported to the Board with a specific KPI around reduction in GHG (see (c) below). Beyond KPIs we have identified certain activities and projects to help reduce emissions that have included but are not limited to reducing vehicles at head office and encouraging the sharing of vehicles, eliminating taking private vehicles to the field by making buses mandatory, promoting work from home and electricity replacing diesel for heaters, boilers and other devices.
Management of climate change-related risks and opportunities is incorporated into the overall remuneration of the senior management. Please refer to the Remuneration Committee Report for details on climate change KPIs.
Moving forwards, the Company intends to include carbon pricing into its economic evaluation of future investment opportunities both within Chinarevskoye and outside. Following a benchmarking analysis of our peers, majors in the sector and research on regional plans for carbon pricing, we will incorporate an appropriate carbon price (cost to the business) in our investment decisions – implicitly increasing the hurdle rate for project approvals.
In the Environment (GHG Emissions Results) section of this report, we disclose our Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions.
Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions have been reported on an annual basis in our Annual Report and Company website. The level of reporting has expanded in line with our commitment to being transparent to our stakeholders.
Furthermore, GHG emissions reporting is a State legislative requirement as required by the Republic of Kazakhstan (the country is in alignment with the GHG Protocol).
We recognise that the majority of emissions from oil and gas products come from their end use, which is why, for the first time this year, we carried out the works on preparing an analysis and calculations for Scope 3 GHG emissions for one category (category 5 – Waste Generated in Operations) in 2022. The amount of Scope 3 emissions for one category (category 5 – Waste Generated in Operations) totalled 352 tons of CO2 in 2022. This is the Company's first step in disclosing Scope 3 emissions. Detailed results of Scope 3 calculations on Wastes generated in Operations will be covered in CDP submission for 2023.
In 2022 the Company reported its emissions in the amount of 169,625 tCO2e for Scope 1 and 5 tCO2e for Scope 2. For more information, please see pages 74–77 in the Strategic Report.
With focus on reduction of emissions, it is our plan to continue to work with our contractors to identify energy efficient opportunities in their supply chain and assist them to implement sustainable initiatives. Internal focus is also placed on reducing emissions from business and commuting travel.
Nostrum is making efforts to not exceed the quota for greenhouse gas emissions set by Kazakhstan and sets this target as a KPI in the annual HSE plan in order to reduce the actual value of greenhouse gas emissions by 5% compared to the previous year. While our approved quota of GHG emissions for 2022 was 209,803 tonnes of CO2, Nostrum set a goal of 5% year-on-year reduction of actual CO2 in 2022. This target was met. The actual GHG emissions amounted to 169,630 tonnes GHG emissions in CO2 equivalent or 10% lower in 2022 compared to 2021. For more information, please see pages 74-77.
Furthermore, Nostrum continues to provide transparent disclosure and obtained its first ESG rating in 2022. In 2023 Nostrum plans to strengthen its ESG strategy around gas and cleaner energy mix to further improve the rating.
We accept that the Group is on a journey towards net zero and will report through interim targets in forthcoming years. We intend to be part of the solution for Kazakhstan's strategy to transition to cleaner energy and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060.
This strategic report is approved by the Board.
Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer 30 May 2023
A successful company is led by an effective and entrepreneurial Board, whose role is to promote the long-term sustainable success of the company, generating value for shareholders and contributing to wider society. See pages 90–92.
The Board establishes the company's purpose, values and strategy, and satisfies itself that these and its culture are aligned. All directors must act with integrity, lead by example and promote the desired culture. See pages 63–66.
The Board ensures that the necessary resources are in place for the company to meet its objectives and measures performance against them. The Board also establishes a framework of prudent and effective controls, which enable risk to be assessed and managed. See pages 38–39.
In order for the company to meet its responsibilities to shareholders and stakeholders, the Board ensures effective engagement with, and encourages participation from, these parties. See pages 22–23 and 93.
The Board ensures that workforce policies and practices are consistent with the company's values and support its long-term sustainable success. The workforce is able to raise any matters of concern with the Board. See pages 63–66.
The chair leads the Board and is responsible for its overall effectiveness in directing the company. The chair demonstrates objective judgement and promotes a culture of openness and debate. In addition, the chair facilitates constructive Board relations and the effective contribution of all nonexecutive directors, and ensures that directors receive accurate, timely and clear information. See pages 96–98.
The Board includes an appropriate combination of executive and nonexecutive (and, in particular, independent non-executive) directors, such that no one individual or small group of individuals dominates the Board's decision-making. There is a clear division of responsibilities between the leadership of the Board and the executive leadership of the company's business. See pages 96–98.
Non-executive directors should have sufficient time to meet their Board responsibilities. They provide constructive challenge, strategic guidance, offer specialist advice and hold management to account. See page 96–98.
The Board, supported by the company secretary, ensures that the company has the policies, processes, information, time and resources it needs in order to function effectively and efficiently. See pages 96–98.
Appointments to the Board are subject to a formal, rigorous and transparent procedure, and an effective succession plan should be maintained for Board and senior management. Both appointments and succession plans should be based on merit and objective criteria and, within this context, should promote diversity of gender, social and ethnic backgrounds, cognitive and personal strengths. See pages 97–98.
The Board and its committees have a combination of skills, experience and knowledge. Consideration should be given to the length of service of the Board as a whole and membership regularly refreshed. See page 98 and committee reports.
Annual evaluation of the Board should consider its composition, diversity and how effectively members work together to achieve objectives. Individual evaluation should demonstrate whether each director continues to contribute effectively. See page 93.
The UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council in July 2018 (the "Code") sets out the governance principles and provisions that applied to the Company until 31 May 2022, when the Company's listing category was transferred from "Premium Listing (commercial company)" to "Standard Listing (shares)". A copy of the Code is available from the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk. The aim of the corporate governance report is to demonstrate how the principles of the Code have been considered and applied by the Company. The UK Financial Reporting Council promotes high-quality corporate governance and reporting through the Code with which all companies with a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange are required to either comply in full, or explain why, and to what extent, they do not comply. The Company intends to continue to comply with the Code or explain any non-compliance as it would if it were still premium listed. This statement should be read in conjunction with the Corporate Governance section of this report as a whole. The headings on this page and the following page correspond to the headings in the Code.
The Board should establish formal and transparent policies and procedures to ensure the independence and effectiveness of internal and external audit functions and satisfy itself on the integrity of financial and narrative statements. See pages 99–105.
The Board presents a fair, balanced and understandable assessment of the company's position and prospects. See page 127.
The Board establishes procedures to manage risk, oversee the internal control framework, and determine the nature and extent of the principal risks the company is willing to take in order to achieve its long-term objectives. See pages 38–39.
Remuneration policies and practices are designed to support strategy and promote long-term sustainable success. Executive remuneration is aligned to company purpose and values, and clearly linked to the successful delivery of the company's long-term strategy. See pages 107–122.
A formal and transparent procedure for developing policy on executive remuneration and determining director and senior management remuneration should be established. No director is involved in deciding their own remuneration outcome. See pages 107–122.
Directors exercise independent judgement and discretion when authorising remuneration outcomes, taking account of company and individual performance, and wider circumstances. See pages 107–122.
Nostrum fully complied throughout 2022 with the provisions of the 2018 version of the UK Corporate Governance Code except in the following respects:
Due to the restructuring, no formal evaluation of the Board or any of its committees took place in 2022.
The Company's LTIP has a total holding and vesting period of no more than three years and therefore does not comply with the requirements of Code Provision 36, which requires share awards to be released for sale on a phased basis and be subject to a total vesting and holding period of five years or more. As explained in the press release released by the Company on 28 August 2019, a copy of which has also been published on the Public Register maintained by the Investment Association, the Board and the Remuneration Committee believe that the current provisions of the LTIP relating to the performance period and vesting period are appropriate and aligned with the interests of shareholders, so that modifying such provisions of the LTIP at this time would not be the right course of action. The full text of the announcement is available to read on the Company's website.


Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
• Independent Non-Executive Director at Beacon Energy

Chris Cox Independent Non-Executive Director A A N R
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
• Director and the interim CEO of Capricorn Energy PLC

Fiona Paulus Independent Non-Executive Director
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023


Martin Gudgeon
Date of appointment: 14 February 2023
Non-Executive Warrant Director

Date of appointment: 26 January 2021

Atul Gupta Executive Chairman
Term of service: from 19 May 2014 to 14 February 2023

Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt. Independent Non-Executive N A R
Director Term of service: from 19 May
2014 to 14 February 2023

H N R Martin Cocker Independent Non-Executive A N
Director Term of service: from
16 November 2017 to 14 February 2023

H R A Kaat Van Hecke Independent Non-Executive Director
Term of service: from 31 December 2016 to 14 February 2023
During the financial year, the Board held 11 meetings. The Board and Committee agendas were shaped to ensure that discussion was focused on the Group's key strategies and monitoring activities, as well as reviews of significant issues arising during the year. The Group's ongoing financial and strategic performance is reviewed at every meeting, and the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer comment on production, share price performance, the market and shareholder feedback.
The table below gives the highlights of how the Board and its committees spent their time during the 2022 financial year but should not be regarded as an exhaustive list. More information regarding the Group's strategic objectives and focus during 2022 can be found in the Strategic Report on pages 1–87 and the more detailed activities of each Board committee are located in their relevant report.
| Strategy and | • Worked towards the completion of the restructuring of the Group's bonds. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| business focus | • Discussions around the strategic options available to the Group to monetise the infrastructure through processing third-party volumes and acquisition of nearby, stranded assets such as Stepnoy Leopard. |
|||||
| • Approved a targeted well workover and intervention programme. | ||||||
| Risk | • Review of all interim financial results announcements and the 2021 Annual Report and Accounts. | |||||
| • Consideration of the Group's going concern assessment, viability statement and risk appetite for the coming year. | ||||||
| • Reviewed the Group's liquidity forecast at each board meeting. | ||||||
| Governance | • Received reports from Board committees. | |||||
| • Consideration of the UK Corporate Governance Code and other regulatory requirements for the Annual Report. | ||||||
| • Review of the Notice of AGM and matters proposed for shareholder approval. | ||||||
| • Reviewed and approved new and updated Group policies. | ||||||
| People | • Monitored the preventative measures being taken to protect employees and contractors from COVID-19. | |||||
| and culture | • Engaged with Sustainalytics in order to improve the Company's ESG ratings. |
Much of the Board's effort and attention in 2022 has been focused on stabilising the financial position of the Group and looking to secure its future, whilst at the same time ensuring that our employees and contractors remained safe. Given the financial position of the Group, the decision was taken not to recruit new members to the Board until such time that the restructuring was substantially complete.
No formal Board evaluation took place in 2022 (the last Board evaluation took place in 2021).
Each individual joining the Board receives a full, formal induction package with materials on the Group's business and operational, financial and legal matters. They also meet with members of the Board in order to obtain a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by the Group. The Directors are given the opportunity to discuss their training and professional development needs at every Board meeting and on an ad-hoc basis as required, and to make recommendations to the Chairman regarding topics on which they would like to receive training. In addition to training organised by the Company, the Directors regularly attend training events organised by third parties and the Company actively encourages Directors to attend such events.
The following table illustrates the attendance of Directors at Board and committee meetings (as relevant) throughout the year.
| Board | Audit Committee | Remuneration Committee |
Nomination and Governance Committee |
Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee |
||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | B | A | B | A | B | A | B | A | B | |
| EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS | ||||||||||
| Atul Gupta1 | 11 | 11 | − | − | − | − | − | − | − | − |
| Arfan Khan | 11 | 11 | − | − | − | − | − | − | 6 | 5 |
| NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS | ||||||||||
| Kaat Van Hecke2 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Martin Cocker3 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Sir Christopher Codrington Bt.4 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 | − | − |
A = Total number of meetings the Director was eligible to attend.
B = Total number of meetings the Director did attend.
Mr Gupta was the Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors until 14 February 2023.
Ms Van Hecke was Chairwoman of the Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee and Chairwoman of the Remuneration Committee until 14 February 2023.
Mr Cocker was the Chairman of the Audit Committee from 13 July 2022 until 14 February 2023.
Sir Christopher Codrington Bt. was the Chairman of the Audit Committee until 13 July 2022 and the Chairman of the Nomination and Governance Committee until 14 February 2023.

Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer
(See biography of Arfan Khan on page 91).

Askhat Seitkazin Deputy General Director of Zhaikmunai LLP

Ulugbek Makhmadiyarov Head of Finance
Skills and experience: • Leading the finance function since 1 October
• Chartered accountant with over 17 years of experience in business and professional services. • Held various roles within Nostrum Finance team from 2014, including leading accounting & reporting, internal audit and risk management. Prior to joining Nostrum developed his career at Ernst & Young in
Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, managing audits of large international companies including listed entities. • Holds Master's and Bachelor's Degrees from the University of World Economy and Diplomacy • Fellow member of ACCA (since 2014) and Certified Internal Auditor (since 2015)
2022.
Robert Tinkhof Chief Operating Officer

Thomas Hartnett Chief Legal Officer & Company Secretary and Acting Head of Human Resources

Abi Zivs Director of Marketing

Zhomart Darkeyev General Director of Zhaikmunai LLP
Chief Financial Officer from 30 August 2021 to 30 September 2022

Gulnara Shadeyeva Head of HR in the RoK

Daulet Tulegenov Group Head of QHSE

Melody Pinet Head of HR outside the RoK
Natalya Dibe Head of ESG
Chief Commercial Officer from 13 January 2017 to 3 February 2022

as at 24 February 2023
| The Board The Board is chaired by Stephen Whyte as from 14 February 2023. The Board is collectively responsible to stakeholders for the long-term success of the Group. This is achieved by reviewing trading performance, budgets and funding, setting and monitoring the Group's strategic objectives, reviewing acquisition opportunities and engaging with stakeholders. The Board is supported by a number of committees whose terms of reference (TORs) are available on our website. |
||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman Responsible for leadership of the Board and for ensuring its effectiveness in all aspects of its role. |
Chief Executive Officer Responsible for the successful planning and execution of the objectives and strategies agreed by the Board. |
Independent Non-Executive Directors1 Responsible for bringing an external perspective, sound judgement and objectivity to the Board's decision making. Scrutinise management performance and constructively challenge strategy. |
Non-Executive Warrant Director Responsible for giving or withholding approval to certain matters set out in the warrant instrument. |
|||||
| Audit Committee Responsible for oversight of the Group's financial reporting processes. Scrutinises the work of the external auditor and regularly reviews the risk management framework and the work of internal audit. |
Nomination and Governance Committee Reviews the structure, size and composition of the Board and its committees and makes recommendations to the Board accordingly, and leads the process for new Board appointments. |
Remuneration Committee Reviews and recommends to the Board the executive Remuneration Policy and determines the remuneration packages of the Directors. |
Strategy Committee2,3 Assists the Board to fulfil its responsibilities in relation to strategy. |
Company Secretary Responsible for advising the Board, through the Chairman, on all governance matters and for ensuring that Board procedures are complied with and there is a good flow of information between the Board and its committees. The appointment of the Company Secretary is a matter reserved to the Board as a whole. |
||||
| Chairwoman: Fiona Paulus See page 99 for Committee Report. |
Chairman: Chairman: Chris Cox Chris Hopkinson See page 106 for See page 107 for Committee Report. Committee Report. |
Chairman: Stephen Whyte |
Company Secretary: Thomas Hartnett |
|||||
| Senior Management Team |
The Senior management team supports the Chief Executive Officer in making important decisions regarding the overall management of the Group in respect of all Group matters that are not reserved for the Board and in ensuring that operational activities and performance are aligned with the overarching strategy of the Group. Each member of the team reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer, who then directly reports to the Board. The functional responsibilities of the senior management team members in their respective areas include but are not limited to implementing Chief Executive Officer and Board decisions, allocating resources, managing risk, maximising efficiencies, guiding and developing employees, reviewing performance and supporting cross-functional integration.
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) corporate finance (ii) investor relations (iii) economic analysis (iv) public relations (v) external communications (vi) accounting and reporting (vii) tax (viii) budgeting and control (ix) insurance (x) treasury and cash management (xi) liaison with internal audit (xii) risk management (xiii) ICT (xiv) company administration (accounting and tax matters) and (xv) capital markets analysis.
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) production engineering and reservoir management (ii) drilling and workover management production (iii) production (iv) engineering and construction field operations (v) relations with governmental authorities (vi) procurement (vii) security and (viii) administration.
Responsible for supporting the Group and the Board in matters relating to: (i) personnel and workforce matters generally (ii) training and (iii) remuneration.
Since 24 February 2023, no Director has been appointed as Senior Independent Director.
The Strategy Committee was formally created on 24 February 2023.
The Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee was at the Board level in 2022. In early 2023, new Senior Management level HSE and ESG committees were formed. Both committees are chaired by the Chief Executive Officer.

Nostrum recognises the important role that good corporate governance plays in the success of the Company. As a result, the Board promotes high standards of corporate governance as a key component of its activities. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities, non-executive independence, boardroom and workplace diversity, an open and transparent culture and the work of our committees in implementing the Company's values and policies throughout the Group are all vital ingredients to get this right for our stakeholders.
In order to ensure that it is involved in making important decisions for the Group and to ensure a clear division of responsibilities between the Board and executive management, the Board has identified certain "reserved matters" that are subject to its approval. Other matters, responsibilities and authorities have been delegated to its committees and the senior management team, as set out in the governance framework on pages 96–98. The schedule of matters reserved for the Board is reviewed annually and is available on our website.
On 27 November 2018, the Board resolved to expand the role of the Company's Chairman, Atul Gupta, to give him certain executive responsibilities, in particular in relation to business development, strategic initiatives and investor relations. Notwithstanding this, in accordance with the Code, and with the exception of the period from 30 September 2020 to 25 January 2021, the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive remained separate, with each having distinct and clearly defined responsibilities, as summarised in the Board structure diagram. Mr Gupta's role as Executive Chairman was to guide, advise, counsel and assist the Chief Executive Officer in overseeing the Company's implementation of its strategy. The Chief Executive remained responsible for line management of his direct reports and implementation of the Company's strategy.
The Company's Chairman as from 14 February 2023, Stephen Whyte, is a non-executive director who also chairs the Company's Strategy Committee.
The Chief Executive Officer is also a member of the Strategy Committee and his strategic capabilities are strengthened by the Senior management team.
Robust oversight is crucial for strong corporate governance and the Board is committed to securing this through an appropriate balance of independent Non-Executive Directors.
At the date of this Annual Report, the Board considers all of its Non-Executive Directors other than the Chairman and Martin Gudgeon to be independent within the meaning of this term as defined in the Code.
The Board has due regard for the importance of, and benefits from, diversity in its membership, including gender diversity, and strives to maintain an appropriate balance on the Board. The Board is composed of individuals with diverse sectoral experience, ages, geographic and ethnic origin, and gender.
As at 14 February 2023 the Company has 17% female representation on its Board. The Nomination and Governance Committee remains satisfied that the Board has the right mix of skills and experience to operate effectively. However, the skills and experience mix will be revisited following the successful restructuring of the Existing Notes. The Nomination and Governance Committee remains committed to monitoring diversity closely as part of future succession planning.
On 7 December 2017, the Board approved its Equality and Diversity Policy, to which the Company continued to adhere throughout 2022. Clarificatory amendments were made to the Company's Equality and Diversity Policy on 14 September 2022.
In accordance with the policy, the Group is committed to eliminating discrimination and encouraging equality and diversity in all of our business activities, including the provision of employment. The policy applies to all who work for the Group, including Directors, together with the managerial, supervisory and administrative bodies of all entities within the Group.
The policy also applies equally to the treatment of our supply chain, applicants and visitors by our staff and the treatment of our staff by these third parties. The objective of the policy is to promote equality of opportunity and to ensure that no individual suffers unlawful discrimination, directly or indirectly, on the grounds of race, colour, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, national origin, age, marital status, disability or sexual orientation.
The Group aims to ensure the objective of the policy is met by:
During 2022, special attention and significant efforts were focused on the promotion of equality and diversity throughout our organisation. We are only at the beginning of a long-term project for our company, but take-off was achieved in 2022 and efforts to raise awareness of the richness of our differences will only increase in the coming years. The following are the steps that have been taken in 2022 to implement this policy:
• We also commit with the broader community on social media by fostering diversity and inclusion. We trust that these communications help to create a more inclusive environment.
A Director has a duty to avoid a situation in which they have, or may have, a direct or indirect interest that conflicts or may conflict with the interests of the Company.
Formal procedures are in place to ensure that the Board's powers of authorisation of conflicts or potential conflicts of interest of Directors are operated effectively. The Board is satisfied that during 2022 these procedures were enforced and adhered to appropriately.
All Executive Directors have service agreements with the Company. All Non-Executive Directors have letters of appointment with the Company. For all Executive Directors engaged through service agreements, there is no term limit on their services, as the Company proposes all Executive Directors for annual reelection at each subsequent Annual General Meeting of the Company.
Each Non-Executive Director appointment is for an initial term of three years, subject to being re-elected at each subsequent Annual General Meeting.
205-1, 205-3
Bribery and corruption are significant risks in the oil
and gas industry and, as such, the Company operates a Group-wide Anti- Corruption and Bribery Policy, which applies to all Group employees and contractor staff. The policy requires: annual bribery and corruption risk assessments; risk-based due diligence on all parties with whom the Company does business; appropriate anti-bribery and corruption clauses in contracts; and the training of personnel in anti-bribery and corruption measures. In addition, the Company's Code of Conduct requires that employees or others working on behalf of the Company do not engage in bribery or corruption in any form. Corruption-related risks are evaluated on a Group-wide basis (not in respect of divisions). No confirmed corruption cases were identified in 2022.
Steps were taken in relation to training on anti-corruption policies in 2022.
The Company has also adopted a Whistleblowing Policy that takes account of the Whistleblowing Arrangements Code of Practice issued by the British Standards Institute and Public Concern at Work. Further information can be found on page 66.
One whistleblowing activity was reported in 2022 and was resolved to the satisfaction of the Audit Committee.
Clarificatory changes were made to the Code of Conduct on 31 March 2022, to the Whistleblowing Policy on 13 July 2022 and to the Anti- Corruption and Bribery Policy on 20 October 2022.
A new Political Involvement Policy was adopted on 20 October 2022.
Further to the new rules under the Criminal Finances Act 2017 (CFA) in the UK, in 2018 the Board approved a new Anti-Facilitation of Tax Evasion Policy applicable to the Group and its associated persons. In connection with the preparation of this policy, the Company commissioned an independent bespoke risk assessment and incorporated findings from the assessment into the policy.
Training on the anti-facilitation of tax evasion policy was undertaken in 2022.
The key areas of responsibility of the Committee with effect from 26 April 2023 are unchanged from those applying in 2022.
More detail on these and other key areas of responsibility can be found in the Committee's terms of reference, which are available on the Group's website at www.nog.co.uk.
| Sir Christopher | Member from 19 May 2014 to 14 February 2023; Chairman from 8 May 2017 to | |
|---|---|---|
| Codrington, Bt. | 3 June 2019 and from 1 April 2020 to 13 July 2022. | |
| Martin Cocker | Member from 16 November 2017 to 14 February 2023. | |
| Chairman from 4 June 2019 to 1 April 2020 and from 13 July 2022 to 14 February 2023. |
||
| Kaat Van | Member from 8 May 2017 to 27 January 2020 and then from 8 October 2020 | |
| Hecke | to 14 February 2023. |
All members of the Audit Committee during 2022 were considered to be independent Non-Executive Directors.
| Fiona Paulus | Committee Chairwoman from 24 February 2023; Member from 24 February 2023 |
|---|---|
| Chris Cox | Member from 24 February 2023 |
| Chris Hopkinson |
Member from 24 February 2023 |
All members of the Audit Committee from 24 February 2023 are considered to be independent Non-Executive Directors.
The qualifications presented in the biographies of the members of the Committee on pages 90–92, and their respective contributions to the activities of the Committee, demonstrate that the Committee has the necessary levels of competence in oil & gas upstream and downstream operations and in accounting and auditing, as well as recent and relevant financial experience.
The Committee meets normally a few days in advance of each board meeting. The Group's senior financial officer, the Chief Legal Officer and the Company Secretary are invited to all meetings with the external auditor being invited when appropriate. The Committee held ten formal meetings during 2022 and the attendance of each Committee member at meetings of the Committee is shown on page 93.
The principal agenda items at the formal meetings were as follows:
| Meetings in 2022 |
Agenda item | |
|---|---|---|
| February | Cost pressures. Significant area of judgement in the 2021 financials. Annual report preparation. Auditor selection. Confirmation of date of AGM. |
|
| March | Audit status. Significant accounts judgements. Audit process and key dates. Auditor selection. |
|
| April | Approval of 2021 accounts and reports. Related party transactions. |
|
| Early May | Approval of 2021 accounts and reports. |
|
| Late May | Preparation for upcoming Board meeting. |
|
| July | Investor Relations. ESG rating. H1 financial statements |
|
| August | Renew of H1 Financial Statements. Risk management. Audit tender. |
|
| September | Risk management. Auditor selection. |
|
| October | Risk management. Timing of Q3 Financial Statements. Auditor selection. |
|
| November | Q3 Financial Statements. Risk management. Auditor selection. |
In October 2022, the Corporate Reporting Review ('CRR') team of the FRC highlighted a number of key matters for the 2022 financial reporting season. The main points are:
In respect of these matters, the Committee has placed increased focus on any non-standard items within the cashflow statement, particularly those items associated with the forbearance agreements, and the costs associated with the restructuring exercise that has been ongoing throughout 2022.
The Committee also paid attention to:
No formal review of the Committee's performance and effectiveness was made in 2022.
In accordance with its responsibilities outlined above, the Committee's activities fall into the following four main areas, each of which is explained in more detail in the following sections 1 to 4:
The key areas of the Committee's activities related to financial reporting can be summarised as follows:
The review by the Committee of the quarterly results and half-yearly financial statements was done with an emphasis on ensuring the following:
The Committee reviewed this Annual Report with the same emphasis as noted above together with the specific areas noted by the FRC and outlined earlier in this report.
Significant judgements, estimates and assumptions applied by management when preparing the financial statements are closely related to the principal risks and uncertainties faced by the Group, which are subject to constant monitoring by the Board and the Committee.
The main judgement facing the Company and Group during 2022 was its continued viability as a going concern.
Throughout 2022, the Group was in discussion, through its advisers, with the AHG concerning the restructuring of the Existing Notes, and with various authorities concerning the issuance of the licences required to complete the restructuring because a small proportion of existing bondholders are sanctioned entities. The Committee remained confident that the few matters that were causing delay were very likely to be resolved successfully. The restructuring was completed on 9 February 2023.
Therefore, during 2022, the Committee continued to challenge management's assessment that the Company and Group remain a going concern. In forming its conclusions, the Committee has taken note of the following:
After careful consideration, the Committee is satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the going concern period to 30 June 2024, being a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report. For these reasons, the Committee agrees with management that the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements is appropriate.
The other significant judgements, estimates and assumptions applied by management when preparing the financial statements, and the Committee's responses, are noted in the following table:
| Significant judgements | Significant estimates | Significant assumptions | Impact on financial statement accounts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geopolitical Factors | |||
| The Group's operations are exposed to risks associated with the political and business environment in Kazakhstan, being the Group's sole country of commercial operations, as well as its neighbouring countries. |
Estimations of the future prices for oil, oil products and dry gas as well as continued production from the Chinarevskoye field impact the calculation of future cash flows. In turn, these impact the assessment of the continued viability of the Company and Group as well as the level of impairment provision to be made. |
Assumptions used in estimating recoverable amounts included future commodity prices, oil and gas reserves, future production profiles, operating expenses and capital expenditure estimates, fiscal regimes, and discount rates. |
Changes in the significant estimates and key assumptions may affect the ability of the Group to continue as a going concern, or the level of impairment required against the CGU. |
| In January 2022, following a rise in fuel prices, certain mass demonstrations and gatherings occurred in various cities across Kazakhstan. Such political and civil unrest and the occurrence of any such factors could result in new regulatory requirements that can be onerous and expensive, and other related changes that could have a material and adverse effect on the Group's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects. |
|||
| Nostrum has historically benefited from its geo-strategic position in the heart of an export corridor between Russia and markets to the west of the Caspian, but on the other hand, the Group has been respectively exposed to the risks |
associated with the economic and political situation in Russia, being reliant on its transport routes and ports. Severe sanctions and trade restrictions imposed by, among others, the US, UK and EU on Russia at various stages during as a response to Russia's continuing actions in Ukraine, have increased the economic and political uncertainty and may have a material adverse impact on the Group's business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
The Committee constantly monitored, through regular interaction with management, the impact of sanctions on the operations of the Group. In particular, the Committee has monitored the actions being taken by management to mitigate the reduction in income caused by the significant discount being applied to Urals blend crude versus the Brent marker price, including identifying alternative export routes.
For impairment analysis, management used judgement and determined a single cashgenerating unit (CGU) within the Group's non-current assets, which includes all assets related to Chinarevskoye, and exploration fields and gas treatment facilities.
As part of the regular Board meetings, the Committee reviewed the monthly liquidity position prepared by management and agreed the estimations of product prices, costs and production profiles were appropriate.
Estimations of the recoverable amount of the CGU were prepared by management based on the discounted cash flow model using significant assumptions as well as considering the value of the enterprise.
As part of the regular Board meetings, members of the Committee considered and challenged the assumption that sanctions were not affecting marketing of our product or operations.
Assumptions used in estimating recoverable amounts included future commodity prices, oil and gas reserves, future production profiles, operating expenses and capital expenditure estimates, fiscal regimes, and discount rates.
Enterprise valuation considered the market value of the Group's bonds and the Company's shares together with the restructuring proposals under discussion.
basis for the preparation of the quarterly, half -yearly and annual financial statements. Changes in the key assumptions and market valuations may
significantly affect the estimation of the recoverable amount of non-current assets, and consequently may result in impairment of non-current assets in the future periods.
The Committee considered the impact of sanctions on the financial statements at the same time as it scrutinised the application of the going concern
Committee actions
The Committee concurred with management's position in determining a single CGU for the majority of the Group's non-current assets.
The Committee reviewed the detailed reports on impairment testing prepared by management. The Committee agreed with management's approach in using a combination of a discounted cash flow model and enterprise value to determine the range of the impairment required.
Areas of focus were the assumed product prices, discount rates, production profiles and associated sales volumes, and forecast capital and operating expenditures, particularly in light of continued depressed product prices and related volatility risk.
The Committee also gave special consideration to the sensitivity analysis in relation to the assumptions used. The Committee also scrutinised the disclosure of the impairment charge in the accounts and this report.
| Significant judgements | Significant estimates | Significant assumptions | Impact on financial statement accounts |
|---|---|---|---|
| OIL AND GAS RESERVES | |||
| Management applied significant judgement when selecting the volume of future production used in the unit-of-production method of depletion of assets based on the oil and gas reserves. |
Management uses internal estimates to perform an annual assessment of the oil and gas reserves. The reserves estimates are made in accordance with the methodology of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) and were audited by Ryder Scott. |
While making such estimates, management uses various assumptions related to future commodity prices, capital and operating expenditures necessary for the development of a field, geological and technical assumptions, future production volumes, drilling programme, etc. |
Changes in the key assumptions may significantly affect the estimation of oil and gas reserves, and consequently result in substantial changes in depletion expense and carrying value of working oil and gas properties in future periods. |
| Committee actions | |||
| The Committee concurred with the continued application of the unit-of-production method of assets depletion, as this method reflects the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits by the Group. |
The Committee gained comfort on the outcomes of the oil and gas reserves' estimations based on its review of the key assumptions together with the confirmation by Ryder Scott following their audit of the reserves. |
Considering the most recent available information, the Committee reviewed various key assumptions used by management in estimating the oil and gas reserves and was satisfied with the reasonableness of such assumptions. |
The estimated reserves are a central element in the calculation of depreciation, depletion and impairment. |
| TAXATION | |||
| The uncertainties associated with Kazakhstan's tax system means that the ultimate amount of taxes, penalties and interest, if any, is subject to significant judgement. |
The Group is subject to routine tax audits and also a process whereby tax computations are discussed and agreed with the tax authorities. Whilst the ultimate outcome of such tax audits and discussions cannot be determined with certainty, management estimates the level of liabilities required for taxes for which it is considered probably will be payable. |
Assumptions used in estimating the amount of taxation that is payable are based on professional advice and consideration of the nature of current discussions with the tax authority. |
Because of the uncertainties associated with Kazakhstan's tax systems, the ultimate amount of taxes, penalties and interest, if any, may be in excess of the amount expensed to date and accrued at 31 December 2021. |
| Committee actions | |||
| The Committee discussed with management any uncertainties surrounding the Group's tax position. |
The Committee reviews the detail of any significant matter under discussion with the tax authorities and considers the likelihood of taxes being payable. |
Areas of focus were the nature of current discussions with the tax authorities, the outcomes of previous similar discussions and the views of taxation specialists. |
The Committee also gave special consideration to the disclosure of any significant uncertainty in the estimation of the tax due. |
| Committee reviewed the findings of a third party tax review conducted by a member of the Big 4 conducted in 2021 for consistency with Management's views on potential tax exposures and provisioning positions. |
The decommissioning of oil and gas assets at the end of their economic lives, the provisioning for contingent and other liabilities, current and deferred income tax, and fair value of financial instruments are all areas that require management to use judgement and estimates. The Committee examined each of these issues and sought clarifications, as and when necessary, including discussions with the Company's auditor.
In addition to the significant judgements, estimates and assumptions identified above, the external auditor also highlighted revenue risk, where there is always an assumed risk of fraud through management override of controls. The Committee believes that the Group's policies and internal controls sufficiently minimise the risks related to management's ability to manipulate accounting records or to misappropriate assets.
The Committee continuously monitored the Group's risk management systems, further information on which can be found in the Risk Management section on pages 38–39.
In accordance with requirements of the 2018 Code relating to the viability statement, the Committee reviewed the impact and sensitivity analysis of such risks on the Group's long-term viability. The principal areas of risk management assessed by the Committee are described in the table below.
| Geopolitical Risk |
The Committee considered the impact of worldwide sanctions on the operations the Group and evaluated management's responses to those impacts. Such responses included collating and regularly updating lists of all persons/entities sanctioned in order to ensure Nostrum does not enter into transactions with any of the persons/ entities on these lists. As a result, some business relationships were terminated, for example the Group's relationships with the Sberbank subsidiary in Kazakhstan. |
|---|---|
| Liquidity and financial reporting |
Throughout the year, and as explained in more detail elsewhere in this report, the Committee has been focused on reviews of the ongoing viability of the Group and the application of the going concern principle to the financial statements. |
| Oil and gas production rates |
Oil and gas production volumes, being one of the strategic indicators of the Group's performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties of a geological and technological nature. The Committee members have been constantly monitoring forecast production rates against actual rates. Any material variances were discussed, and explanations sought during Committee meetings, Board meetings or dedicated presentations given by management. |
| Health, safety and environment |
As part of the monthly management reports, the Committee reviewed the Group's activities to ensure an appropriate level of protection for health, safety and the environment. This area will be within the scope of responsibilities of the Health, Safety, Environment and Communities Committee of the Board. |
| Cyber security | The Committee continued to review the Company's and Group's exposure to a cyber-attack and discussed with management with management the effectiveness of proposed actions to address such exposures. |
| Financial reporting |
The Committee seeks to ensure the accurate maintenance of accounting records and related transactions. Considering the volatility of oil prices and the uncertainty over the Group's continued viability as a going concern, the Committee focused on the review of going concern, the viability statement and impairment. |
The Group's internal control system is aimed at mitigating risks and improving efficiency. These include:
In the Committee's view, the Group maintained robust and defensible systems of risk management and internal control, and the Committee made recommendations to senior management on further improvements as and when considered necessary.
Details of the procedures related to compliance control are set out below (including compliance liaison equivalent to a hotline). No instructions for any conflict of interest settlement or compliance control forms were in use in 2022. No sanctions or disciplinary actions were applied in respect of internal control in 2022.
The primary role of the internal audit function is to assist the Board and senior management to protect the assets, reputation and sustainability of the organisation. This is achieved through:
The Group does not at this time have a dedicated internal audit function. Instead, the Group outsources this work to specialists in relevant areas or engages internal resources on a case-by-case basis. For example, an internal review was conducted by the CLO on related party transactions issues in April 2022 and relevant report presented to the Audit Committee.
To mitigate the exposure caused, the Group continued to operate the Contracts Board comprising the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Chief Operating Officer. The Contracts Board meets weekly and its purpose is to review and approve all expenditure commitments in excess of \$10,000.
Also, in the Committee's view, the Group has sufficient internal processes providing assurance to the management, Audit Committee and the Board about the effectiveness of systems of internal control and risk management: for instance monthly reports to the Board on operations, liquidity and legal issues and assurance provided by Quality, Health, Safety and the Environment ("QHSE") and security personnel.
The Chief Legal Officer and Company Secretary attends the Committee's meetings, which allows the Committee to raise any concerns related to legal, compliance or whistleblowing matters and the status of any ongoing litigation.
The Committee was in compliance with the Code throughout 2022.
Nostrum has a Group Whistleblowing Policy and, to ensure that all Group employees have access to someone who can provide them with support and guidance, the Group has two compliance liaison officers: one English, Kazakh and Russian-speaking officer based in Uralsk and another Dutch- and English-speaking officer based in Brussels. The Audit Committee maintained close contact with the compliance liaison officers. One whistleblowing activity was reported in 2022 and was satisfactorily resolved.
Since 2007, Ernst & Young LLP (Kazakhstan) was the auditor of the predecessor Group of companies and was first appointed as auditor of the Group on 19 May 2014.
A tender for the external audit arrangements was conducted in 2015, as a result of which it was concluded that it would be in the best interests of the stakeholders to continue engaging Ernst & Young LLP (UK) as the Group's external auditor.
Following a recommendation to that effect from the Board, the shareholders approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young LLP (UK) at the Annual General Meeting held on 9 June 2020. Mr William Binns succeeded Mr Richard Addison as lead audit engagement partner in 2019.
In 2022, the Group reappraised its audit requirements and decided to retender the audit. The process was started in June 2022 and a robust process was concluded at the end of September 2022 when another audit firm was selected and Ernst & Young LLP resigned as auditor of the Company. On 25 October 2022, the potential incoming auditor notified the Company that it no longer intended to register for FRC supervision, and, as a result, no longer wished to be appointed as auditor. On 6 March 2023, the Company announced that it had appointed MHA as auditors to the Group and Ernst & Young Kazakhstan as auditors of Zhaikmunai LLP.
There were no material fines or other sanctions against the Group in 2022. There was no antitrust litigation against the Group in 2022. There were no actual or potential related party transactions in 2022.
There were no cases relating to product liability in 2022.
The main principle of the Group's policy on the provision of non-audit services by the external auditor is that non-audit services may only be provided by the external auditor where the external auditor maintains the necessary degree of independence and objectivity, and that standard supplier selection procedures are carried out.
Committee pre-approval is required before the external auditor is engaged to provide any permitted non-audit services (as defined in the policy) in addition to any other approvals required by the Board and management pursuant to powers delegated by the Board or Nostrum's internal approvals policies.
The Committee monitors the external auditor to ensure that it does not provide non-audit services that are prohibited by the FRC and limits such services to due diligence services and other assurance services. The revised policy is available on the Group's website at www.nog.co.uk and will be reviewed and amended as and when required.
Audit fees for 2022 totalled US\$1,199,840 (2021: US\$1,248,000).
A detailed breakdown of audit and non-audit fees for 2022 can be found in Note 28 to the consolidated financial statements of the Group on page 157.
By operating in accordance with the above policy and other practices established within the Group, the Committee was satisfied that adequate safeguards were in place to ensure the objectivity and independence of the external auditor.

The key responsibilities of the Committee in 2022 were to:
The key areas of responsibility of the Committee with effect from 26 April 2023 are unchanged from those applying in 2022.
More details on key responsibilities can be found in the Committee's terms of reference, which are available on the Group's website at www.nog.co.uk.
| Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt. |
Chairman |
|---|---|
| Kaat Van Hecke | |
| Martin Cocker |
| Chris Cox | Committee Chair from 24 February 2023, Member from 24 February 2023 |
|---|---|
| Martin Gudgeon | Member from 24 February 2023 |
| Chris Hopkinson | Member from 24 February 2023 |
| Fiona Paulus | Member from 24 February 2023 |
| Stephen Whyte | Member from 24 February 2023 |
The Chairman does not have any other significant commitments to report.
The Nomination and Governance Committee met formally six times during 2022. The attendance of each Committee member at Committee meetings held during 2022 is shown on page 93. As a separate agenda item, the Committee reports to the Board at each Board meeting on any activities of the Committee since the last Board meeting.
The principal agenda items at the formal meetings were as follows:
| Meeting | Agenda item | |
|---|---|---|
| March | Sanctions compliance. Notice of AGM. Code of conduct. Changes to SMT. Employee liaison. |
|
| May | Possibility of an additional appointment to the Board. Procurement blacklist. | |
| Early July | Replacement of Sir Christopher as chairman of Audit Committee by Mr Cocker. Succession issues. Amendments to policies. Procurement blacklist. D&O insurance. |
|
| Mid July | Succession issues. | |
| August | Succession issues. | |
| October | ESG rating. |
Only members of the Committee have the right to attend Committee meetings.
However, other individuals may be invited to attend all or part of any meeting, as and when appropriate.
More information on the Group's actions and policies in relation to diversity and inclusion can be found on pages 63–66.
Given the ongoing restructuring and expected changes in the composition of the Board upon completion thereof there were no appointments at Board level in 2022. Succession planning was discussed several times, as set out in the principal agenda items referred to below. No formal Board evaluation took place in 2022. No external search consultancies were used.
The gender balance of senior management and their direct reports is set out on pages 63–64.
All Directors will stand for re-election at the 2023 Annual General Meeting with the full support of the Board.

I am pleased to introduce the Directors' Remuneration Report, which has been approved by both the Remuneration Committee and the Board for the year ended 31 December 2022.
The aim of our Remuneration Policy, amongst other things, is to align the remuneration of executives and senior management with the interests of the Company's shareholders and to ensure that rewards are justified by performance.
As noted elsewhere in this Annual Report, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 a resolution to approve the Remuneration Policy was submitted to shareholders for a binding vote at the 2022 Annual General Meeting and was approved by 99.77% of votes cast.
The 2022 Directors' Remuneration Report will also be subject to an advisory vote at our 2023 Annual General Meeting.
Further details of Executive Director performance against the 2022 KPIs can be found on pages 108–115. In setting these targets, the Committee focused on areas critical for the Company, which were:
Our strategic targets all remain commercially sensitive and, therefore, have not been disclosed.
Mr Khan is the only person who served as an Executive Director during 2022 who has been assessed for a bonus against achievement of these KPIs. The assessment was prepared by the Remuneration Committee as a recommendation to the Board, and was considered and agreed by the Board (other than Mr Khan himself) on 26 April 2023. It was determined that 77.5% of the 2022 KPIs had been achieved over the year 2022 (USD 435,774).
Production and cost KPIs were partially satisfied (22% out of a possible 40%), the strategic KPIs had been almost entirely met (45.5% out of a possible 50%) and HSE KPIs were fully met (10% out of a possible 10%). Accordingly, the Committee recommended and the Board approved a bonus of 77.5% of base compensation for the Chief Executive Officer for 2022.
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer was paid a bonus in 2023 equal to of 50% of his base compensation (USD 281,145) to which Mr Khan was contractually entitled in connection with the completion of the Company's restructuring in February 2023.
The 2023 key performance indicators for the CEO and senior managers were initially proposed by the CEO and then developed in consultation with the Remuneration Committee and were agreed by the Board (other than Mr Khan himself) on 26 April 2023. Such KPIs are set out on page 115. Senior management, including the Chief Executive Officer and (when appointed) the chief financial officer, are assessed for bonuses based on these KPIs. Certain KPIs relating to strategic objectives have been carried forward from 2022 but are still considered to be commercially sensitive and so have not been disclosed. It is our intention to publish these, together with the bonus outcome, as required in the first Directors' Remuneration Report following their achievement.
The Committee also exercised its discretion in deciding not to make any awards under the LTIP in 2022 to any LTIP participants.
As regarding the Group's personnel as a whole, the collective agreement with employees of the Company's subsidiary Zhaikmunai LLP working in the RoK provides for annual indexation of salaries. Effective 1 April 2022 an increase of 8.4% was granted to employees who are paid in Kazakh Tenge to cover the increase in the cost of living there during 2021.
Both Executive Directors (Mr Gupta and Mr Khan) received salary increases in 2022 due only to exchange rate, details of which are set out in the single total remuneration table.
Fees payable to the independent nonexecutive Directors in 2022 remained at the level of \$120,000 per annum, introduced from the date of entry by the Company into the Forbearance Agreement on 23 October 2020.
The Company complied with the provisions of the Code relating to remuneration throughout 2022. Further information on compliance with the Code can be found on pages 88–89.
The Committee has addressed the factors in Provision 40 of the Code as to clarity, simplicity, risk and predictability by refining the CEO's KPIs applying in 2023 relative to those which applied in 2022 to (a) reduce ambiguity; (b) increase the level of granularity; and (c) agree them with relevant stakeholders (such as the bondholders) in good time.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the UK's regulations on remuneration reporting. The Companies Act 2006 requires the Company's auditor to report to shareholders on certain parts of the Directors' Remuneration Report and to state whether, in the auditor's opinion, those parts of the report have been properly prepared in accordance with the above regulations. This Annual Statement and the Policy Report are not subject to audit. The sections of the Directors' Remuneration Report that are subject to audit are indicated accordingly.
On behalf of the Committee, I would like to thank shareholders for their continuing support.
Chairman, Remuneration Committee Independent Non-Executive Director
30 May 2023
Key responsibilities of the Remuneration Committee
In summary, the Committee's key responsibilities include ensuring that:
The members of the Committee during 2022 were:
| Name | Membership start date |
Membership end date |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt. |
19 May 2014 |
14 February 2023 |
| Kaat Van Hecke (Chairwoman |
31 December |
27 January 2020 |
| from 8 October 2020) |
2016 8 October 2020 |
14 February 2023 |
| Martin Cocker | 27 January 2020 |
8 October 2020 |
| 30 August 2021 |
14 February 2023 |
The members of the Committee with effect from 24 February 2023 are:
| 24 February 2023 |
|
|---|---|
| 24 February 2023 |
|
| 24 February 2023 |
|
| 24 February 2023 |
|
Their biographies are given on pages 90–92. The Company Secretary acts as secretary to the Committee.
The remuneration of the Chairman, the Chief Executive, the Chief Financial Officer, the Company Secretary and all other senior members of executive management is determined by the Committee under delegated powers from the Board and in accordance with the Committee's terms of reference. The Chairman and the executive members of the Board determine the remuneration of all Non-Executive Directors, including members of the Committees.
In accordance with the terms of reference, members of the Committee shall be appointed by the Board on the recommendation of the Nomination and Governance Committee in consultation with the Chair of the Committee. The Committee shall comprise at least three members, the majority of whom shall be independent Non-Executive Directors and one of whom shall be the Warrant Director.
During 2022, the Committee was comprised solely of independent Non-Executive Directors.
The primary responsibilities of the Committee are set out in its terms of reference which are reviewed and updated annually, and which are available to download from the Company's website. Alternatively, copies can be obtained on request from the Company Secretary.
When making recommendations to the Board regarding Executive Directors' remuneration the Committee is able to consider corporate performance on environmental, social and governance issues and ensures that any incentive structures do not raise any environmental, social or governance risks by inadvertently motivating irresponsible behaviour.
The Committee held three meetings in 2022 and the attendance of each committee member at such meetings is shown on page 93.
The principal agenda items at the formal meetings were as follows:
| March | • Assessment of performance |
|---|---|
| 2022 | against 2021 KPIs. |
| October 2022 |
• Severance for CFO. |
| November | • Deferral of decisions regarding |
| 2022 | 2023 KPIs. |
No other Directors participated in meetings of the Committee during 2022.
During the year, the Committee received advice internally from Arfan Khan, Shane Drader (until 30 September 2022) and Thomas Hartnett (Company Secretary).
Mr Gupta and Mr Khan were consulted on the remuneration of the other Executive Directors and senior members of executive management and on matters relating to the performance of the Company. The Company Secretary was consulted on regulatory requirements.
None of the Executive Directors nor the Company Secretary participated in decisions on his own remuneration.
Members of the Group's human resources team may attend relevant portions of Committee meetings to ensure appropriate input on matters related to the remuneration of senior members of the executive management team below Board level.
The resolutions put to shareholders at the 2022 Annual General Meeting relating to Directors' remuneration were a resolution to approve the Directors' annual report on remuneration which, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, was subject to an advisory vote and a resolution to approve a new remuneration policy which, in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, was submitted to shareholders for a binding vote. The votes received are set out in the table below.
| Resolution | Votes FOR % of votes cast | Votes | AGAINST % of votes cast | Votes WITHHELD |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approval of the Directors' annual report on remuneration | 78,627,576 | 99.77% | 179,134 | 0.23% | 0 |
| Approval of new remuneration policy | 78,627,576 | 99.77% | 179,134 | 0.23% | 0 |
At the 2023 Annual General Meeting, the Directors' remuneration report will be put to shareholders for approval by way of an advisory vote. In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, a resolution to approve changes to the Remuneration Policy will be submitted to shareholders for a binding vote at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
The table below shows the single total figure of remuneration for the year ended 31 December 2022 for each Director that served at any time during the year. The information contained in the table is as prescribed by the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013 and contains a single total figure of remuneration for each Director.
Directors are remunerated in either GBP, US\$ or KZT. All figures in relation to Director remuneration are reported in USD throughout this report. Those figures which were reported in the annual report for 2021 in EUR have been translated to USD for the purposes of this report at a foreign currency exchange rate of 1.188.
| Director1,2 Amounts in USD | Period | Salary and fees |
Taxable benefit |
Annual bonus3 |
Option Plan |
LTIP4 | Pension5 | Total (audited) |
Total fixed remuneration |
Total variable remuneration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atul Gupta | ||||||||||
| (Executive Chairman) | 2022 | 518,575 | 3,888 | − | − | − | 522,463 | 522,463 | − | |
| 2021 | 512,203 | 4,209 | − | − | − | 3,827 | 520,239 | 520,239 | − | |
| Arfan Khan | ||||||||||
| (Chief Executive Officer) | 2022 | 683,814 | 13,763 | 716,919 | − | − | 39,154 1,453,649 | 736,731 | 716,919 | |
| 2021 | 649,772 | 45,816 | 175,000 | − | − | 40,208 | 910,796 | 735,796 | 175,000 | |
| Martin Cocker | ||||||||||
| (Non-Executive Director) | 2022 | 120,000 | − | − | − | − | − | 120,000 | 120,000 | − |
| (Non-Executive Director) | 2021 | 40,000 | − | − | − | − | − | 40,000 | 40,000 | − |
| (Chief Financial Officer)6 | 2021 | 446,338 | − | − | − | − | − | 446,338 | 446,338 | − |
| Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt.7 |
||||||||||
| (Non-Executive Director) | 2022 | 120,000 | − | − | − | − | − | 120,000 | − | − |
| 2021 | 120,000 | − | − | − | − | − | 120,000 | − | − | |
| Kaat Van Hecke | ||||||||||
| (Non-Executive Director) | 2022 | 120,000 | − | − | − | − | − | 120,000 | − | − |
| 2021 | 120,000 | − | − | − | − | − | 120,000 | − | − |
Mr Cocker (from March 2020 to August 2021 when he was in role as Chief Financial Officer) and Mr Gupta (from November 2018 when he was appointed as Executive Chairman) received their remuneration under Group executive service contracts. Prior to November 2018, Mr Gupta was not an Executive Director. For clarity, this table presents their total remuneration from the Group whether received under a contract for services as a Director or a Group executive services contract.
Mr Gupta was remunerated in US\$, Mr Cocker was remunerated in GBP, Mr Khan was remunerated in GBP and KZT and Ms van Hecke was remunerated in EUR and KZT. For the purposes of this table, the following exchange rates have been used:
2022: GBP: EUR 1.178; EUR: US\$ 1.061; EUR: KZT 485.28 2021: GBP: EUR 1.159; EUR: US\$ 1.188; EUR: KZT 505
Mr Khan received a bonus for his contribution to the operating, commercial, strategic and environmental objectives of the Group in 2021 and 2022. None of the bonus awarded to Mr Khan was in relation to the appreciation or depreciation of the Company's share price. No other Executive Directors received bonuses in respect of 2020, 2021 or 2022.
Awards made under the LTIP in 2017 have vested but no awards have been exercised by the Executive Directors in respect of such awards. No awards made under the LTIP in 2018 are capable of vesting as the performance conditions were not met in 2018. No awards were made under the LTIP in 2020, 2021 or 2022.
The Company did not operate a pension scheme for Executive Directors in 2021 or 2022 but may make a pension contribution or a payment in lieu of pension contributions to Executive Directors under their employment contracts as executives of the Group as opposed to under their service agreements as Directors of the Company. The total amount paid to Executive Directors in 2022 in lieu of pension contributions was 39,154 USD (2021: USD 44,035). Executive Directors are not entitled to any additional benefit if they retire early.
Mr Cocker was paid as Chief Financial Officer for the period 31 March 2020 to 29 August 2021. Mr Cocker resigned as Chief Financial Officer on 30 August 2021 and was redesignated as an independent Non-Executive Director on 30 August 2021. From 1 September 2021, Mr Cocker was paid fees of \$120,000 per annum. No additional amounts were payable for being Chair of any of the Board's committees.
From 22 October 2020, Sir Christopher Codrington and Kaat van Hecke were paid fees of \$120,000 per annum. No additional amounts were payable for being Chair of any of the Board's committees nor the Senior Independent Non-Executive Director.
Executive Directors' salaries were considered by the Committee at the time of appointment to post in 2020 and 2021.
When reviewing salaries, the Committee considered the provisions of the Remuneration Policy and the situation of the Company.
In 2022, Mr Khan was the only Executive Director eligible for a bonus.
In accordance with the Remuneration Policy approved in 2022, the maximum annual bonus opportunity for Mr Khan in respect of 2022 was 240% of base compensation.
All bonuses are discretionary and can be reduced from the maximum annual bonus opportunity level for reasons such as poor performance by the employee or due to disappointing financial performance of the Group as a whole.
The key performance indicators for annual cash bonuses for the Chief Executive Officer were as follows:
| 2022 bonus performance measures | Weight |
|---|---|
| Production and Costs | 40% |
| Achieve annual No-Further-Activity PDP volume available for sales from 12 100 boepd (0%) to 12 700 boepd (100 %). Sliding scale. |
15% |
| Deliver 6 well WOWI campaign within USD 5.8 mln budget and with an annual cumulative production volume in 2022 ranging from 192 kboe (0%) to 396 kboe (100%). Sliding scale. |
10% |
| Reduce Opex and G&A from USD 45.5 mln (0%) to USD 41.76 mln (100%). Accruals basis. Sliding scale | 10% |
| Deliver gaslift expansion project by Oct 2022, within USD 8 mln budget and run compressor stable (one month uninterrupted). If project delivery is one week faster and in budget (100%); if on target and in budget (75%) ; if 2 months delay and |
|
| above budget (0%). | 5% |
| Strategic Objectives | 50% |
| A commercially sensitive strategic target, therefore not disclosed1 | 40% |
| A commercially sensitive strategic target, therefore not disclosed1 | 5% |
| Improvement of Refinitiv ESG assessment score to 55/100 by December 31, 2022. Sliding scale. | 5% |
| HSE | 10% |
Achievement of the approved 2022 HSE Plan (provided that there have been no fatalities).
These bonus performance measures apply to the Chief Executive Officer only. No other director is eligible for any bonus payment relating to 2022 performance based on these performance measures.
100%
The Committee considered the performance of the Chief Executive Officer in the period 1 January to 31 December 2022.
Production and cost KPIs were partially satisfied (22% out of a possible 40%), the strategic KPIs had been almost entirely met (45.5% out of a possible 50%) and HSE KPIs were fully met (10% out of a possible 10%). Accordingly, the Committee recommended and the Board approved a bonus of 77.5% of base compensation for the Chief Executive Officer for 2022 (USD 435,774).
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer was paid a bonus in 2023 equal to 50% of his base compensation to which Mr Khan was contractually entitled in connection with the completion of the Company's restructuring in February 2023 (USD 281,145).
The Company does not provide for any clawback or withholding provisions regarding annual bonuses, as annual bonuses are awarded on a lump sum basis based on past performance and payable in the following year, and so the rationale behind a clawback or withholding mechanism is less relevant. This also applies to LTIP awards for which performance conditions have been satisfied. Except as stated in relation to the Phantom Share Option Scheme and the LTIP, there are no deferral periods, vesting periods or holding periods. There are no performance targets or measures relating to more than one financial year.
1 In certain cases information on performance measures or targets has been omitted because it is commercially sensitive and disclosure of such information may not be in the Company's interest. Such information may be reported in the subsequent annual report if the performance measure or target has been met and the Company considers that disclosure of such information at such time would not be contrary to the Company's interest.
In 2017, the Company implemented its new performance-based long-term incentive plan (LTIP) and granted additional awards on 28 November 2018.
The LTIP awards granted are based on performance over one calendar year, which is followed by an additional two-year holding period such that no awards may vest before the third anniversary of the date of grant.
The Committee decided not to make any awards in 2022, and so there is no information to be provided in relation to performance conditions for the reporting year.
The Company did not operate a pension scheme for Executive Directors in 2022 but may make a contribution to a private pension fund or a payment in lieu of pension contributions to Executive Directors, under their employment contracts as executives of the Group as opposed to under their service agreements as Directors of the Company.
No payments were made to past directors of the Company during the year ended 31 December 2022.
No payments were made to Directors in 2022 for loss of office.
No changes were made to Non-Executive Director fees in 2022, which were kept at \$10,000 per month.
The beneficial interests of the Directors in the share capital of the Company as at 31 December 2022 were as follows:
| Director | Total (audited) |
|---|---|
| Atul Gupta | 178,357 |
| Arfan Khan | − |
| Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt. | 3,312 |
| Kaat Van Hecke | − |
| Martin Cocker | − |
The Company has not been notified of any change in Directors' shareholdings since 31 December 2022. Mr Gupta, Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt., Kaat Van Hecke and Martin Cocker resigned on 14 February 2023.
The beneficial interests of the Directors in the share capital of the Company as at 14 February 2023 were as follows:
| Director | Total (audited) |
|---|---|
| Chris Cox | − |
| Chris Hopkinson | − |
| Martin Gudgeon | − |
| Arfan Khan | − |
| Fiona Paulus | − |
| Stephen Whyte | − |
Please refer to the text in the Remuneration Policy table on page 118 in relation to shareholding guidelines applicable to Directors.
No shares have been granted to Directors so there was no requirement on any Director to hold them in accordance with the guidelines. With the exception of Mr Gupta, none of the Executive Directors held shares in 2022 as encouraged by the guidelines.
The Company operates one nonperformance-related phantom share option plan (the Plan). The Executive Directors eligible to participate in the Plan were Kai-Uwe Kessel and Tom Richardson. Each held options over Ordinary Shares of the Company, generally vesting over a five-year period, exercisable at either US\$4.00 or US\$10.00 per Ordinary Share and expiring 10 years from the date of grant, pursuant to the Plan.
Mr Kessel left the Company by mutual consent on 16 December 2019 and, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, all outstanding options lapsed as at the same date.
Mr Richardson resigned as Chief Financial Officer and as a Director of the Company on 31 March 2020 and, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, all outstanding options lapsed on 30 March 2021.
No awards were made under the Plan in 2022 (2021: nil). It is intended that following the restructuring, a new long-term incentive plan will be introduced which will replace the Plan going forward. Therefore, it is not currently envisaged to make any further awards under the Plan.
The Plan rules do not contain any malus or clawback mechanisms. However, should further awards be considered under the Plan, then management will require any recommendations by the Company to the option trustee of an option award to be made subject to an express right for the Company to suspend further vesting and to claw back unvested options previously awarded where there have been exceptional circumstances of misstatement or misconduct, misbehaviour, significant risk failures or material downturns in the Group's financial performance prior to vesting.
On 24 August 2017, the Board approved the making of certain initial grants under the Company's new long-term incentive plan (LTIP). Awards under the LTIP were made in 2017 and 2018 but no further awards were made in 2019, 2020, 2021 or 2022 .
In accordance with the LTIP rules, all outstanding options that had been issued to two Executive Directors, Mr Kessel and Mr Richardson, who left the Company on 16 December 2019 and 31 March 2020, respectively, lapsed as of 16 December 2019 and 30 March 2021, respectively.
All Non-Executive Directors who had been granted awards under the LTIP (including the Chairman) have formally renounced such awards and the Company has amended the terms of its LTIP to make Non-Executive Directors ineligible to participate in the LTIP.
The following performance graph shows the growth in value of a notional £100 invested in the Company since the premium listing of the Company compared with the growth in the FTSE 350 Oil & Gas Index over the same period. The Committee selected the FTSE 350 Oil & Gas Index as the most appropriate comparator as it feels that it is a broad-based index which includes many of the Company's competitors.

Nostrum O&G (dividends received) Nostrum O&G (dividends re-invested) FTSE 350 Oil & Gas
The total remuneration figures compared with a respective maximum opportunity for the Chief Executive Officer during each of the last five financial years are shown in the table below. Kai-Uwe Kessel was in the position for the period 1 January 2015 to 16 December 2019, Kaat Van Hecke was the Chief Executive Officer from 16 December 2019 to 31 August 2020 and Atul Gupta from 1 September to 25 January 2021.
The total Chief Executive Officer remuneration figure for 2020 therefore includes all amounts paid to Kaat van Hecke for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 August 2020 and Atul Gupta for the period 1 September 2020 to 31 December 2020 for Chief Executive Officer services provided to the Group. Mr Gupta remained as Executive Chairman throughout the period 1 September 2020 to 25 January 2021. Therefore, the amount attributed to his role as Chief Executive Officer is the incremental value in his remuneration only, which was the pension contribution.
Please refer to the single total figure of remuneration table on page 109 for more information.
| Year | Total CEO remuneration (USD) |
Annual bonus as % of maximum opportunity |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1,047,791 | 100.00% |
| 2013 | 1,222,420 | 100.00% |
| 2014 | 2,726,9301 | 100.00% |
| 2015 | 1,078,059 | 80.00%2 |
| 2016 | 1,013,718 | 75.00% |
| 2017 | 1,004,305 | 31.25% |
| 2018 | 732,271 | 0.00% |
| 20193 | 1,577,014 | 0.00% |
| 20204 | 1,284,577 | 60.33% |
| 20215 | 948,525 | 12.61% |
| 2022 | 1,453,649 | 53.13% |
Total CEO remuneration for 2014 includes remuneration from the exercise of share options.
These figures include a bonus amount of EUR 236,262 paid in 2015 in respect of 2014 performance. No bonuses were paid for 2015 performance.
The amounts published in 2021 in respect of payments to Ms Van Hecke in 2019 have been corrected to include the amount of EUR 32,006 paid to her spouse in 2019.
The amounts published in 2021 in respect of payments to Ms Van Hecke in 2020 have been corrected to include amount of EUR 423,031 paid to her spouse in 2020. 5. Ms Van Hecke was Chief Executive Officer from 16 December 2019 to 31 August 2020. Mr Gupta discharged the role of Chief Executive Officer from 1 September 2020
to 25 January 2021 but received no increment in salary, benefits or annual bonus as a result of assuming this role as well as that of Executive Chairman. Therefore, the figures for the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer in 2019, 2020 and 2021 reflect only the amounts paid to Ms Van Hecke (and her spouse) and Mr Khan.
The table below shows the percentage changes in the salary, benefits and annual bonus of the Directors compared to the percentage increases of the workforce as a whole for each financial year beginning on or after 10 June 2019.
| 2022 USD |
2022 to 2021 % change |
2021 USD |
2021 to 2020 % change |
2020 USD |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Directors (USD) | |||||
| Executive Chairman | |||||
| Salaries | 518,575 | 1.2% | 512,203 | (0.1%) | 512,776 |
| Taxable benefits | 3,888 | (7.6%) | 4,209 | 705.6% | 522 |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Chief Executive Officer1 | |||||
| Salaries | 683,814 | 0.1% | 683,330 | (37.9%) | 1,100,965 |
| Taxable benefits | 13,763 | (70.2%) | 46,124 | 255.2% | 12,985 |
| Annual bonus | 716,919 | 309.7% | 175,000 | 50.3% | 116,405 |
| Chief Financial Officer2,3 | |||||
| Salaries | − | − | 446,338 | (47.6%) | 851,099 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | - | (100%) | 3,530 |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Non-Executive Directors (USD) | |||||
| Sir Christopher Codrington Bt | |||||
| Salaries | 120,000 | − | 120,000 | 27.5% | 94,098 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | − | − | − |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Kaat Van Hecke | |||||
| Salaries | 120,000 | − | 120,000 | 300.4% | 29,968 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | − | − | − |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Mark Martin | |||||
| Salaries | − | − | − | (100%) | 51,023 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | − | − | − |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Martin Cocker | |||||
| Salaries | 120,000 | 200% | 40,000 | 45.5% | 27,500 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | − | − | − |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Michael Calvey | |||||
| Salaries | − | − | − | (100%) | 25,000 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | − | − | − |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Simon Byrne | |||||
| Salaries | − | − | − | (100%) | 25,000 |
| Taxable benefits | − | − | − | − | − |
| Annual bonus | − | − | − | − | − |
| Employees of the Group on an FTE basis | |||||
| Salaries | − | (0.5%) | − | (8.0%) | − |
| Taxable benefits | − | 1.5% | − | (5.3%) | − |
| Annual bonus | − | 9.4% | − | 6.6% | − |
Ms Van Hecke was Chief Executive Officer from 16 December 2019 to 31 August 2020. Mr Gupta discharged the role of Chief Executive Officer from 1 September 2020 to 25 January 2021 but received no increment in salary, benefits or annual bonus as a result of assuming this role as well as that of Executive Chairman. Therefore, the figures for the remuneration of the Chief Executive Officer in 2019, 2020 and 2021 reflect only the amounts paid to Ms Van Hecke (and her spouse) and Mr Khan.
The CFO was not a Director in 2022.
The amounts published in 2021 in respect of payments to Mr Richardson in 2020 have been corrected to include amounts paid to his spouse in 2020. The amounts for 2021 only include Chief Financial Officer's compensation up until 30 August 2021, at which time the position was removed as an Executive Director.
The table below shows the Group's actual spend on pay (for all employees) relative to dividends.
| Key expenditure areas In thousands of US\$ | 2022 | 2021 | % change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remuneration paid to all employees4 | 22,412 | 22,056 | 1.6% |
| Dividends to shareholders (total) | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Dividends | 0 | 0 | 0% |
| Share buy-back | 0 | 0 | 0% |
For further information on dividends and expenditure on remuneration for all employees, please see the notes to the consolidated financial statements.
Details of the Executive Directors' service agreements' and the Non-Executive Directors' letters of appointment can be found in the Company's Remuneration Policy on pages 116–122 of this Annual Report. All Directors are subject to annual reappointment and accordingly all executive and Non-Executive Directors will stand for election or re-election (as appropriate) at the Annual General Meeting.
The Company's Remuneration Policy was put to a shareholder vote at the 2022 Annual General Meeting and was approved by 99.77% of votes cast.
In accordance with the Companies Act 2006, a resolution to approve changes to the Remuneration Policy will be submitted to shareholders for a binding vote at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
Salaries and bonuses of the Executive Directors are reviewed and determined annually to ensure they remain appropriate. The Company's bonus year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year, with bonus amounts being determined between December and March and becoming payable between April and August of each year.
Remuneration in respect of 2022 will be consistent with the current policy described on pages 116–122 of the Company's 2021 annual report.
Remuneration in respect of 2023 will be consistent with the new policy described on pages 116–122 if that new policy is approved by shareholders at the 2023 Annual General Meeting.
The Group appointed a new Chief Executive Officer on 26 January 2021. As part of that process, the level of remuneration to be paid was agreed by the Committee and approved by the Board.
In accordance with the remuneration policy approved at the 2022 AGM, the maximum Executive Director annual bonus opportunity in respect of 2022 was up to 40% of base compensation, subject to a maximum opportunity for the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Arfan Khan, of an annual bonus of up to 240% of base compensation.
Annual performance will be assessed against a performance scorecard of which a portion is based on operational and financial measures, a portion on strategic objectives and a portion on HSE, social and governance objectives.
The Committee has compiled a list of suitable key performance indicators against which the performance of the Executive Directors will be measured at the end of 2023 to determine the annual bonus amounts payable to Executive Directors in 2024. Details of any noncommercially sensitive KPIs are set out below. 2023 performance will be measured against these key performance indicators and the Committee will consider such performance together with the Company's financial position, in deciding whether and at what level to award.
| Weight |
|---|
| 40% |
| 15% |
| 5% |
| 10% |
| 5% |
| 5% |
| 50% |
| 30% |
| 10% |
| 10% |
| 10% |
Achievement of the approved 2023 HSE Plan (provided that there have been no fatalities).
| 100% | |||
|---|---|---|---|
If the future remuneration policy on pages 116–122 of this report is approved at the 2023 AGM, the percentage result (from the above table out of 100%) will be applied to 100% of the Chief Executive Officer's base compensation and may also be applied to a percentage up to the Chief Financial Officer's maximum opportunity of 100% (if he is appointed as a Director). Currently, no other director is eligible for any bonus payment relating to 2023 performance based on these performance measures.
The CEO's maximum possible total bonus opportunity for 2023 is 240% of base compensation and his bonus opportunity based on the performance measures in the table above is 100% of base compensation. If appointed to the Board, the CFO's maximum possible total bonus opportunity for 2023 will be 100% of base compensation.
The Committee does not envisage the award of any additional phantom share options to Executive Directors in 2023.
The Committee does not envisage any awards under the Company's existing long-term incentive plan in 2023. Therefore, no performance conditions have been set for 2023.
Non-Executive Director fees were reviewed following the restructuring and were amended as follows:
| Director | Fee |
|---|---|
| Chris Cox | 100K USD per annum, plus 10K USD per annum for chairmanship of Nomination and Governance Committee |
| Chris Hopkinson |
100K USD per annum, plus 10K USD per annum for chairmanship of Remuneration Committee |
| Martin Gudgeon |
100K USD per annum |
| Fiona Paulus 100K USD per annum, plus 10K USD per annum for chairmanship of Audit Committee |
|
| Stephen Whyte |
230K GBP per annum, plus 10K USD per annum for chairmanship of Strategy Committee |
1 In certain cases information on performance measures or targets has been omitted because it is commercially sensitive and disclosure of such information may not be in the Company's interest. Such information may be reported in the subsequent annual report if the performance measure or target has been met and the Company considers that disclosure of such information at such time would not be contrary to the Company's interest.
This part of the Directors' remuneration report sets out the Remuneration Policy for the Company and has been prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 2006, the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) (Amendment) Regulations 2013, the UK Corporate Governance Code and the Listing Rules of the UK Listing Authority.
The Company's current remuneration policy was approved by shareholders at the Company's 2022 AGM. We will be asking our shareholders to approve a new policy at our 2023 AGM. The proposed new policy in full is as detailed below. The only changes to the existing policy are to envisage the payment to the Company's Chief Financial Officer (if a Director), of an annual bonus of up to a maximum of 100% of base compensation.
No further disclosures will be made as regards the decision-making process for its determination, review and implementation and measures to avoid or manage conflicts of interest and, where applicable, the role of the remuneration committee or other committees concerned.
This Policy applies to all payments to Directors of the Company from the date of the Company's 2023 AGM and until the approval of a revised Remuneration Policy.
This policy is designed to:
For the purposes of benchmarking appropriate compensation, the Committee currently regards the following companies as the most relevant peer group for Nostrum:
The Committee will review incentive arrangements regularly to ensure that they comply with the Group's risk management systems, and that controls are operating effectively. The Committee also ensures that inappropriate operational or financial risk-taking is neither encouraged nor rewarded through the Company's remuneration policies. Instead, a sensible balance will be struck between fixed and variable pay, short- and long-term incentives and cash and equity.
The Committee has access to the Audit Committee and senior executive management as and when required to discuss any matters of risk assessment.
Nostrum operates in an industry that is inherently subject to operational risks. Particular emphasis is therefore placed on ensuring that health and safety best practice is reinforced by this Policy. The Committee consults regularly to ensure that this is the case.
The Committee will periodically review whether this Policy is operating appropriately. Any actions arising from this review will be assigned to an appropriate person with a deadline to report back to the Committee. The level and structure of the compensation system will also be reviewed annually by the Committee.
The table on the following pages sets out the key components of the reward package for Executive Directors
Executive Directors' Remuneration Policy table
| Element of pay | Purpose and link to strategy |
Maximum opportunity | Operation | Performance criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BASE PAY | To provide market competitive base salaries. |
There is no prescribed maximum annual increase. The Committee takes into account remuneration levels at peer group companies together with the performance of the Company and each individual's personal contribution. |
Base salary is reviewed annually and fixed for 12 months. | None |
| BENEFITS | To reflect market practice and provided in line with peer companies. |
The aggregate value of such benefits should not constitute a significant proportion of any employee's compensation. |
Benefits include: • Medical insurance; • Life insurance; • Permanent health insurance (long-term disability or income protection insurance); and • A Company car may be provided for the Chief Executive Officer. • The Company may make payments to Directors in lieu of benefits and may also make separate benefit arrangements for Executive Directors in connection with their service as Executives of Group. |
None |
| ANNUAL BONUS | Executive Directors may be eligible for an annual bonus in cash and/or deferred shares for good performance (as determined at the Board's discretion). |
Maximum opportunity of 240% of base compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, Arfan Khan. Maximum opportunity of 100% of base compensation for the Company's Chief Financial Officer (if a Director). In all other cases, maximum opportunity of 40% of base salary. |
The annual bonus is generally determined by reference to performance in the prior calendar year. Annual bonuses are generally paid sometime between April and August of each year. Malus and clawback provisions apply to the award of annual bonuses such that Executive Directors may be liable to repay some or all of their annual bonus if there is a material misstatement of results, or error in calculation of any KPI, or serious misconduct. The discovery period is one year commencing on the date on which the bonus is determined. |
Key performance indicators against which the performance of the Executive Directors will be measured in the following year are determined at the end of each year and all non-commercially sensitive key performance indicators are disclosed in the Directors' Remuneration Report. Any commercially sensitive performance measures will be disclosed retrospectively following completion of the relevant financial year. Performance against key |
| performance indicators for the previous year is also disclosed in the Directors' Remuneration Report to show how the Board has determined Executive Director performance against the relevant key performance indicators for that year, and consequently the levels of annual bonus payable to the Executive Directors. |
| Element of pay | Purpose and link to strategy |
Maximum opportunity | Operation | Performance criteria | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOSTRUM OIL & GAS PLC 2017 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN (LTIP) |
To incentivise Executive Directors and employees over a longer timeframe, and to increase their interest in the Company's long-term business goals and performance through share ownership. To help retain executives and other key employees, and align their interests with shareholders through building a shareholding in the Company. |
200% of base salary in any financial year. |
Awards of nominal-cost options are made at the sole discretion of the Committee. |
Performance measures are generally measured over one |
|
| It was anticipated that awards would be granted annually in the period 2017 to 2019 subject to annual performance conditions. Generally, awards have a one-year performance period attached to them and will not vest for an additional two years following the date on which the Committee determines whether or not a performance condition has been wholly or partly satisfied, such that no award may vest before the third anniversary of the date of grant. |
year though the Committee has the discretion to apply a longer performance period to awards. The Committee has the discretion to set any performance condition attaching to awards granted under the LTIP. |
||||
| The Committee has the discretion to decide, on or before the grant of an award, that a participant shall be entitled to receive dividend equivalents arising over the period between the grant date and the vesting date, with such amounts being payable in cash or shares in respect of shares which vest. |
Vesting of awards would ordinarily be based: • In part on average accrued sales volumes measured in barrels of oil equivalent per day; and |
||||
| Malus and clawback provisions apply to the LTIP such that participants are liable to repay/forfeit some or all of their shares if there is a material misstatement of results, or error in calculation, or if there is serious misconduct. The discovery period is three years commencing on the date on which the award vests, which can be extended by the Committee for an additional two years if an event occurs which the Committee determines could result in the operation of recovery or withholding provisions. |
• In part on reserves measurement on the basis of 2P barrels of oil per share. |
||||
| PHANTOM SHARE OPTION PLAN (THE PLAN) |
The Board places great importance on minimising dilution of existing shareholders' equity. Share |
Share awards will only be made on the basis of achieving concrete long-term objectives defined in advance by the Committee. Share awards will vest over several years. |
Intertrust Employee Benefit Trustee Limited administers the Plan and is responsible for granting rights under the Plan. |
None | |
| Each right entitles holders to receive, on exercise, a cash amount equal to the excess of the market value on the exercise date of the Ordinary Shares of the Company to which it relates over a base value set at the date of grant. |
|||||
| awards will therefore only be made to senior |
In accordance with the Plan rules, the total number of shares that may be granted pursuant to the Plan is five million. |
All Executive Directors of the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan at the discretion of the Board. |
|||
| management who are able to |
Awards vest on the basis described in the notes on the following page. |
||||
| make a material contribution to shareholder value that substantially exceeds the value of any share awards made. |
Long-term objectives are to be reviewed at every Committee meeting to ensure that they are appropriate, relevant and rigorous. |
||||
| Intertrust Employee Benefit Trustee Limited administers the Plan and is responsible for granting rights under the Plan. |
|||||
| The Plan has effectively been replaced by the LTIP and no awards were made under the Plan in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. |
Each right entitles holders to receive, on exercise, a cash amount equal to the excess of the market value on the exercise date of the Ordinary Shares of the Company to which it relates over a base value set at the date of grant. |
||||
| All Executive Directors of the Company are eligible to participate in the Plan at the discretion of the Board. |
|||||
| Awards vest on the basis described in the notes on the following page. |
|||||
| Long-term objectives are to be reviewed at every Committee meeting to ensure that they are appropriate, relevant and rigorous. |
|||||
| Share awards made in future may be reduced at any time prior to vesting, at the discretion of the Committee, following events such as (but not restricted to) a material misstatement of results, failure of risk management, breach of health and safety regulations or serious reputational damage to the Company. |
|||||
| PENSIONS | To remain competitive in the marketplace and provide income in retirement. |
10% or, if higher, any minimum pension contribution which may be required under applicable law. |
There are ordinarily no pension contributions or provisions for Directors, although there may be pension arrangements made for Executive Directors in connection with their service as executives of Group companies. |
None | |
| SHAREHOLDING GUIDELINE |
Aligns interests of executive directors with those of |
Executive Directors are encouraged to maintain a holding in the Company to align |
If the Company grants shares to Directors outside the LTIP by way of bonus or otherwise, they will be required to hold 50% of such shares for a three-year period. |
None | |
| shareholders. | their interests with shareholders. |
The Committee monitors the holdings of all Directors. |
| FEES FOR NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND CHAIRMAN |
Attract and retain high-performing individuals. |
No prescribed maximum annual increase in fees. |
Any fee increases are usually considered at the end of each year and the Board and, where applicable, the Committee considers pay data at comparable companies of a similar scale. |
None |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The chairs of the Committees receive additional fees. | ||||
| No eligibility for participation in bonuses but limited benefits may be delivered (e.g. provision of iPad and travel-related expenses). Non-Executive Directors and the Chairman are not eligible to participate in the LTIP. |
The Company operates the Plan in accordance with the Plan rules, the Listing Rules, the Disclosure and Transparency rules and other applicable rules. In order to retain talent, options are generally granted in tranches exercisable at the following times:
The Board retains discretion over a number of areas relating to the operation and administration of the Plan, which include, but are not limited to: (i) who participates; (ii) the timing of the grant of an award; and (iii) the size of the award.
The trustee has agreed to waive any dividends on shares held under the Plan and the LTIP.
For the avoidance of doubt, authority is given to the Company to honour any commitments entered into with current or former Directors notwithstanding the approval of the Policy. This will last until the existing incentives vest (or lapse) or the benefits of any contractual arrangements no longer apply.
The bar charts below provide estimates of the potential remuneration of the executive directors for 2023. Three scenarios are presented for each executive director which are based on the following assumptions:
The "minimum" columns are intended to show the fixed level of remuneration to which executive directors are entitled in 2023 irrespective of performance levels, namely base salary, benefits using the details set out in the single-figure table provided on page 109 (which includes any payments made in lieu of benefits made under the executive directors employment contracts for their roles as executives of the Group and not under their service contracts as executive directors) and any payments made in lieu of the provision of a pension scheme (which are paid under the executive directors employment contracts for their roles as executives of the Group and not under their service contracts as executive directors). No bonus payments are assumed for minimum performance.
The "on target" scenario seeks to illustrate the remuneration the executive directors would receive if performance was in line with expectation.
The "maximum" columns illustrate total remuneration levels in circumstances where the variable elements pay out in full, namely an annual bonus payment of 240% for Arfan Khan, the Company's Chief Executive Officer.
As stated above, no Executive Director participated in the LTIP or the Phantom Share Option Scheme in 2022 and the Board will not award any shares under the Phantom Share Option Scheme in 2023. The Committee does not envisage any awards under the Company's existing long-term incentive plan in 2023. Therefore, no performance conditions have been set for 2023.
| Minimum | 100% | 522 |
|---|---|---|
| On target | 100% | 522 |
| Maximum | 100% | 522 |
| Minimum | 100% | 737 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| On target | 57% | 43% | 1,299 | |
| Maximum | 35% | 65% | 2,086 |
Fixed salary Bonus
The Committee expects any new Executive Directors to be engaged on terms that are consistent with this Policy, but the Committee acknowledges that it cannot always predict the circumstances under which any new Executive Director may be recruited and so, accordingly, in each case, the Committee will consider:
In making any decisions on remuneration for new joiners (including NEDs), the Committee will endeavour to balance the expectations of shareholders with current market and corporate governance best practice and the requirements of any new joiner, and would strive to pay no more than is necessary to attract the right talent to the role.
As at 31 December, summary details of each Director's service agreement were as follows:
| agreement date | recently amended (USD) |
|---|---|
| Dated 28 November 2018 |
450,000 |
| 26 January 2021 | 562,289 |
| Director's service |
The appointment of each of the Executive Directors continues until the Company's Annual General Meeting and their ongoing appointment is subject to being re-elected as a director at each subsequent Annual General Meeting. Each Executive Director
may be required to resign at any time in accordance with the Company's Articles or for any regulatory reason such as the revocation of any approvals required from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). The Company may lawfully terminate the Executive Directors' employment in the following ways:
The lawful termination mechanisms described above are without prejudice to the employer's ability in appropriate circumstances to terminate in breach of the notice period referred to above, and thereby to be liable for damages to the Executive Director.
The Executive Directors are not permitted to take up any office or employment with, or have any direct or indirect interest in, any firm or company which is in direct or indirect competition with the Company or any other member of the Group, or any company in which any member of the Group has an interest, without the consent of the Board.
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer is subject to non-solicitation covenants in relation to Group companies for 12 months from the date of termination of his service contract.
Copies of the Executive Directors' service agreements and the Non-Executive Directors' letters of appointment are available for inspection at the Company's registered office during normal business hours and at the Annual General Meeting.
| Provision | Policy | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notice period and | 12 months' notice from the Company to Mr Gupta or, 6 months' notice from the Company to Mr Khan. | ||
| compensation for loss of office in service contracts |
Base salary is paid in line with the notice period. Notice period payments will either be made as normal (if the Executive Director continues to work during the notice period or is on gardening leave) or they will be made as monthly payments in lieu of notice (subject to mitigation if alternative employment is found). |
||
| Treatment of annual | No entitlement. | ||
| bonus on termination | |||
| Treatment of unvested share option awards under the Plan |
An Executive Director's awards will generally lapse to the extent they have not vested on the date of voluntary cessation of employment and any portion that remains outstanding but unexercised after 12 months following such cessation will lapse. Mr Gupta and Mr Khan did not participate in the Plan in 2022. |
||
| Treatment of unvested awards under the LTIP |
For a Director considered to be a "good leaver" before the original vesting date (including leaving the Company on retirement, redundancy, ill health, as a result of death in service or in other circumstances determined by the Committee), outstanding awards will be pro-rated for time and vest subject to performance on the original vesting date. For a director who is considered a "good leaver" after the original vesting date, any awards will remain exercisable for a period of 12 months commencing on the date of cessation. For a Director whose employment is terminated for any other reason, the award will lapse in full. Mr Gupta and Mr Khan did not participate in the LTIP in 2022. |
In particular circumstances, an arrangement may be agreed to facilitate the exit of a particular individual. Any such arrangement would be made bearing in mind the desire to minimise costs for the Group and only in circumstances where it is considered in the best interests of shareholders.
In accordance with the LTIP rules and the terms of the awards granted in 2017 and 2018 under the LTIP, if there is a sale of all or substantially all of the Company or the Company's business in circumstances where such sale has been approved by a majority of shareholders and is at a price of \$10 per share or more, then all awards granted will vest in full regardless of the achievement or otherwise of applicable performance conditions on the date of such event if they have not already vested, and all awards will remain exercisable for one month from such date. To the extent that any option is not exercised in such period, it shall lapse at the end of that period.
The Chairman and Executive Directors set the remuneration package for Non-Executive Directors in line with the Non-Executive Directors' Remuneration Policy table and subject to the Company's Articles of Association (the Articles).
The following table provides details of Non-Executive Director appointment letters as at 31 December 2022:
| Name | Position | Date of letter of appointment |
Expiry of then current term |
Notice period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt. |
Independent Non-Executive Director | 19 May 2020 | 19 May 2023 | 1 month |
| Kaat Van Hecke | Independent Non-Executive Director | 2 September 2020 | 2 September 2023 | 1 month |
| Martin Cocker | Independent Non-Executive Director | 30 August 2021 | 30 August 2024 | 1 month |
Each appointment was for an initial term of three years, subject to being re-elected at each Annual General Meeting, save that a Non-Executive Director or the Company might terminate the appointment at any time upon one month's written notice, or that a Non-Executive Director might be required to resign at any time in accordance with the Articles of the Company, the UK Corporate Governance Code or for any regulatory reason such as the revocation of approvals required from the FCA.
Each of the Non-Executive Directors was entitled to an annual fee paid quarterly and to reimbursement of reasonable expenses. There was no entitlement for Non-Executive Directors to participate in the Plan or the LTIP.
The Non-Executive Directors were not permitted to take up any office or employment with, or have any direct or indirect interest in, any firm or company that was in direct or indirect competition with the Company without the consent of the Board.
Upon termination of the appointment and where such termination is for any reason other than due to the Non-Executive Director's gross misconduct, material breach of the terms of the appointment, act of fraud or dishonesty or wilful neglect of the Non-Executive Director's duties, the Non- Executive Director was entitled to be paid a pro-rated amount of their fees in respect of the period between the beginning of the quarter in which termination took place and the termination date.
Otherwise, none of the Non-Executive Directors were entitled to any damages for loss of office and no fee were payable in respect of any unexpired portion of the term of the appointment.
Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt., Kaat Van Hecke and Martin Cocker resigned on 14 February 2023.
| Name | Position | Date of letter of appointment |
Expiry of current term |
Notice period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Cox | Independent Non-Executive Director | 14 February 2023 | 14 February 2026 | 3 months |
| Chris Hopkinson | Independent Non-Executive Director | 14 February 2023 | 14 February 2026 | 3 months |
| Martin Gudgeon | Non-Executive Director | 14 February 2023 | 14 February 2026 | 3 months |
| Fiona Paulus | Independent Non-Executive Director | 14 February 2023 | 14 February 2026 | 3 months |
| Stephen Whyte | Chairman | 14 February 2023 | 14 February 2026 | 9 months |
The following table provides details of Non-Executive Director appointment letters as at 14 February 2023:
Each appointment is for an initial term of three years, subject to being re-elected at each Annual General Meeting, save that a Non-Executive Director or the Company may terminate the appointment at any time upon one month's written notice, or that a Non-Executive Director may be required to resign at any time in accordance with the Articles of the Company, the UK Corporate Governance Code or for any regulatory reason such as the revocation of approvals required from the FCA.
Each of the Non-Executive Directors is entitled to an annual fee paid in twelve equal instalments and to reimbursement of reasonable expenses. There is no entitlement for Non-Executive Directors to participate in the Plan or the LTIP.
The Non-Executive Directors are not permitted to take up any office or employment with, or have any direct or indirect interest in, any firm or company that was in direct or indirect competition with the Company without the consent of the Board.
Upon termination of the appointment and where such termination is for any reason other than due to the Non-Executive Director's gross misconduct, material breach of the terms of the appointment, act of fraud or dishonesty or wilful neglect of the Non-Executive Director's duties, the Non- Executive Director is entitled to be paid a pro-rated amount of their fees in respect of the period between the beginning of the quarter in which termination took place and the termination date.
Otherwise, none of the Non-Executive Directors is entitled to any damages for loss of office and no fee is payable in respect of any unexpired portion of the term of the appointment.
The Company intends to comply with Provision 18 of the UK Corporate Governance Code and accordingly all Directors will stand for re-election by shareholders at future Annual General Meetings until the Board determines otherwise.
We have not consulted with employees on the executive Remuneration Policy. However, when determining the Policy for Executive Directors we have been mindful of the pay and employment conditions of employees across the Group as a whole.
Senior executive management of the Company regularly meet with shareholders and solicit their views on the Company's policies in relation to Director and Executive remuneration, and take such views into account when formulating remuneration policies and remuneration levels in specific cases.
The Directors' remuneration report was approved by the Board on 30 May 2023.
On behalf of the Board
Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer 30 May 2023
The Directors submit their report and the consolidated audited financial statements of the Group and the audited parent financial statements of the Company for the year ended 31 December 2022.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the Large and Mediumsized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008.
The following are incorporated by reference and shall be deemed to form part of this Directors' Report:
In addition, the following information is also incorporated into this Directors' Report by reference:
| Subject matter | Page |
|---|---|
| Likely future developments within the Group |
45-46 |
| Related party transactions | 105 |
| Going concern statement | 52 |
| Financial position and performance of the Group |
47–53 |
| Greenhouse gas emissions | 74–77 |
| Directors' share interests | 111 |
| Corporate governance statement |
88–89 |
| Diversity | 63–66 |
Full biographical details of all Directors (Atul Gupta, Sir Christopher Codrington, Bt, Martin Cocker, Kaat Van Hecke, Arfan Khan) of the Company who held office at some point during the year ended 31 December 2022 and the Board Committees of which they were members are set out on pages 90–92 of this Annual Report.
Full biographical details of all current Directors of the Company and the Board Committees of which they are members are set out on pages 90–92 of this Annual Report.
No dividends were paid during the year ended 31 December 2022.
No dividend is proposed to be paid in 2023 in respect of the year ended 31 December 2022.
In accordance with section 418(2) of the Companies Act 2006, each Director in office at the date of this Directors' Report confirms that (a) so far as the Director is aware, there is no relevant audit information of which the Company's auditor is unaware and (b) the Director has taken all the steps that he/she ought to have taken as a Director to make him/herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the Company's auditor is aware of that information.
On 30 September 2022, and following a competitive tender, Ernst & Young LLP resigned as auditor of the Company. On 25 October 2022, the potential incoming auditor notified the Company that it no longer intended to register for FRC supervision, and, as a result, no longer wished to be appointed as auditor.
On 6 March 2023, the Company announced that it had appointed MHA as auditors to the Group and Ernst & Young Kazakhstan as auditors of Zhaikmunai LLP.
This appointment will be put to shareholders for approval at the 2023 AGM.
The Company maintains liability insurance for its Directors. All Directors are also in receipt of an indemnity from the Company under the Company's Articles of Association (the Articles) in respect of (a) liability incurred by any Director due to negligence, default, breach of duty or breach of trust in relation to the affairs of the Company, or any subsidiary undertaking or (b) any liability incurred by any Director in connection with the activities of the Company, or any subsidiary undertaking, in its capacity as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme; in both instances to the extent permitted under the Companies Act 2006. Copies of the Company's Articles are available on the Company's website or at the Company's registered office during normal business hours and will be available for inspection at the Annual General Meeting.
In May 2015, the Board approved a policy for the indemnification of Directors, officers and other designated beneficiaries and the entry by the Company into an
accompanying deed of indemnity.
The policy clarifies that the Company will seek to provide the maximum indemnification and protection to Group Directors and officers permissible under applicable law, except in cases of fraud or wilful default, including but not limited to:
The deed of indemnity is intended to cover any insufficiency in the protection granted to Directors and officers under the Articles which could expose such persons to substantial liability to third parties, including governmental authorities, in particular in jurisdictions where significant uncertainty exists in relation to the interpretation and application of the law. The deed of indemnity allows Directors, officers and other designated beneficiaries to enforce the protection provided for under the Articles without any further action by the Company being required.
The Group made no political donations during the year 2022.
No contributions to non-UK political parties were made during the year 2022.
The Group is not involved in any activities in the field of research and development.
The Company is registered in England and Wales and during 2018 moved its place of effective management and tax residence from the Netherlands to the United Kingdom. As the Group is a global business, our interests and activities are held or operated through subsidiaries and branches and subject to the laws and regulations of many different jurisdictions.
As of 31 December 2022, the Company's issued share capital was £1,881,829.58 divided into 188,182,958 Ordinary Shares each having a nominal value of £0.01, all of which were in free circulation. All of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares were fully paid up and rank equally in all respects. The rights attached to them, in addition to those conferred on their holders by law, were set out in the Articles.
As at 9 February 2023, following the restructuring, the Company's issued share capital was £16,938,159.646 divided into 169,381,561 Ordinary Shares each having a nominal value of £0.01 and 15,244,344,036 deferred shares each having a nominal value of £0.001 (the "Deferred Shares"). All of the Company's issued Ordinary Shares were fully paid up and rank equally in all respects and the Deferred Shares have no voting rights in the capital of the Company. The Company intends to cancel the Deferred Shares in due course. The rights attached to the Ordinary Shares and Deferred Shares, in addition to those conferred on their holders by law, are set out in the Articles. The existing ordinary shareholders were diluted to 11.1% subject to further dilution to 10% if the warrants held by noteholders are exercised.
Intertrust Employee Benefit Trustee Limited (the Trust) holds shares in the Company in trust for the purposes of the Company's phantom share option plan, and the rights attaching to these shares are exercised by independent trustees. As at 31 December 2022, the Trust held 2,948,879 Ordinary Shares in the Company. As at 9 February 2023, following the restructuring, the Trust held 294,887 Ordinary Shares in the Company.
Without prejudice to any rights attached to any existing shares, the Company may issue shares with rights or restrictions as determined by either the shareholders by ordinary resolution or, subject to and in default of such determination, the Board.
There are no restrictions on voting rights of shares in the Articles and at a general meeting every shareholder present in person or by proxy has one vote for every share held by him or her. No shareholder shall be entitled to vote either personally or by proxy or to exercise any other right in relation to general meetings if any sum due from him or her to the Company in respect of that share remains unpaid.
The Articles provide that transfers of certificated shares must be effected in writing duly signed by or on behalf of the transferor and, except in the case of fully paid shares, by or on behalf of the transferee. The transferor shall remain the holder of the shares concerned until the name of the transferee is entered on the Register of Members in respect of those shares. Transfers of uncertificated shares may be effected by means of the relevant electronic system unless the Uncertificated Securities Regulations 2001 provide otherwise.
The Directors may refuse to register a transfer of shares in favour of more than four persons jointly.
The warrants issued on 9 February 2023 are not transferable. There are no other agreements between holders of securities that are known to the Company and may restrict transfer of securities or voting rights.
The Articles were adopted on 29 April 2022 and may only be amended by special resolution at a general meeting of the shareholders (and where required, with the consent of the Warrant Trustee).
The Directors' powers are conferred on them by UK legislation and by the Articles. In accordance with the Articles, the Board has the power at any time to elect any person to be a Director. Any person so appointed by the Directors will retire at the next Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Articles; retiring Directors may be eligible for annual re-election.
The Company did not acquire any of its own shares during 2022 either itself or through a person acting in his own name but on the Company's behalf.
None of the circumstances referred to in paragraphs 8 and 9 of Schedule 7 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 applies.
The Company's policy is to:
Action taken to introduce, maintain or develop arrangements aimed at the following is described on page 65:
A summary of the following is described on pages 22-23.
As of 31 December 2022, the following significant shareholdings of voting rights in the share capital of the Company had been disclosed to the Company under Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule (DTR) 5 or otherwise.
| Name | Number of Ordinary Shares |
% of issued Ordinary Shares |
Nature of Holding |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU Holdings Limited | 44,837,071 | 23.83 | Direct |
| Tengri Partners (Kazakhstan) LLP | 38,273,216 | 20.34 | Direct |
| Dehus Dolmen Nominees Limited* | 30,588,054 | 16.25 | Direct |
| FRASELI Investments S.à r.l. | 16,111,100 | 8.56 | Direct |
| Trafigura Ventures V B.V. | 8,152,557 | 4.33 | Direct |
| FPP Asset Management | 6,359,517 | 3.38 | Direct |
Details of all information provided to the Company pursuant to Financial Conduct Authority's (FCA) DTRs is publicly available to view via the regulatory information service on the Company's website.
Since 31 December 2022, disclosures have been made to the Company under DTRs or otherwise such that as at 26 May 2023, the following significant shareholdings of voting rights in the share capital of the Company had been disclosed to the Company under Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule (DTR) 5 or otherwise.
| Name | Number of Ordinary Shares |
% of issued Ordinary Shares |
Nature of Holding |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICU Holdings Limited | 32 345 657 | 19.1% | Indirect |
| EMOV Caspian Holdings Limited | 31 975 192 | 18.88 | Direct |
| Amundi (UK) Limited and Amundi Asset Management | 16 489 360 | 9.74 | Direct |
The Company's financial risk management objectives and policies, including its use of financial instruments, can be found in Note 30 page 158 to the financial statements.
The following are significant agreements the Company has entered into which would be affected on a change of control of the Company following a takeover:
As at 31 December 2022, the 2012 Bonds, 2014 Bonds, 2017 Bonds and 2018 Bonds contained change of control provisions. If a change of control occurs, the Company was required to offer to repurchase the 2012 Bonds, 2014 Bonds, 2017 Bonds and 2018 Bonds at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the purchase.
As at 9 February 2023, the 2012 Bonds, 2014 Bonds, SUNs and SSNs contained change of control provisions. If a change of control occurs, the Company was required to offer to repurchase the 2012 Bonds, 2014 Bonds, SSNs and SUNs at 101% of their principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the date of the purchase.
There are no agreements between the Company and its Directors or employees providing for compensation for loss of office or employment or otherwise that occurs specifically because of a takeover.
Pursuant to Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule 7, certain parts of the Corporate Governance statement are required to be outlined in the Directors' Report. This information is laid out in the corporate governance section of this Annual Report. Information regarding the main features of the Company's internal control and risk management arrangements in relation to the financial reporting process can be found in the Strategic Report and the report of the Audit Committee.
The following table provides references to where the information required by Listing Rule 9.8.4R is disclosed.
| Information required | Sub-section of Listing Rule 9.8.4R | Reference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capitalised interest | (1) | Please refer to Notes 4 and 5 to the financial statements, pages 144–151 |
|
| Publication of unaudited financial information | (2) | Not applicable | |
| Details of any long-term incentive schemes established to specifically recruit or retain a director |
(4) | Not applicable | |
| Waiver of emoluments by a director | (5) (6) | No such waivers | |
| Allotment of equity securities for cash | (7) (8) | No such share allotments | |
| Participation in a placing of equity securities | (9) | Not applicable | |
| Contracts of significance | (10) | No such contracts | |
| Contracts for the provisions of services by a controlling shareholder |
(11) | Not applicable | |
| Dividend waiver | (12) (13) | Page 119 | |
| Agreements with controlling shareholder | (14) | Not applicable as the Company does not have a "controlling shareholder" within the definition under Listing Rule 6.1.2A R |
Major events after 31 December 2022 are disclosed in Note 31 to the consolidated audited financial statements.
This report was approved by the Board on 30 May 2023.
On behalf of the Board
Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer
30 May 2023 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, registered number 8717287
The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
The Directors are required by the Companies Act 2006 to prepare accounts for each financial year and, with regard to Group accounts, in accordance with UK Adopted International Accounting Standards. The Directors have prepared individual accounts in accordance with UK Adopted International Accounting Standards. The accounts are required by law and IFRS to present fairly the financial position of the Company and the Group and the performance for that period. The Directors must not approve such accounts unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Company and the consolidated Group.
In preparing these financial statements, the Directors are required to:
Having taken all the matters considered by the Board and brought to the attention of the Board during the year into account, and having reviewed the Annual Report (including the Strategic Report), the Directors consider the Annual Report and Accounts, taken as a whole, to be fair, balanced and understandable, providing the information necessary for shareholders to assess the Company's position and performance, business model and strategy.
The Directors have responsibility for:
By order of the Board
Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer
30 May 2023
For the purpose of this report, the terms "we" and "our" denote MHA in relation to UK legal, professional and regulatory responsibilities and reporting obligations to the members of Nostrum Oil and Gas plc. For the purposes of the table on pages 129 – 130 that sets out the key audit matters and how our audit addressed the key audit matters, the terms "we" and "our" refer to MHA. The Group financial statements, as defined below, consolidate the accounts of Nostrum Oil & Gas plc and its subsidiaries (the "Group"). The "Parent Company" is defined as Nostrum Oil & Gas plc. The relevant legislation governing the Company is the United Kingdom Companies Act 2006 ("Companies Act 2006").
We have audited the financial statements of Nostrum Oil & Gas plc for the year ended 31 December 2022, which comprise:
The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation of the financial statements is applicable law and International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the United Kingdom ('UK adopted IFRS') and as issued.
In our opinion:
Our opinion is consistent with our reporting to the Audit Committee.
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Group and Parent Company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard as applied to listed public interest entities, and we have fulfilled our ethical responsibilities in accordance with those requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the Directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Our evaluation of the Directors' assessment of the Group and Parent Company's ability to continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting included:
Group. We evaluated the sufficiency of the sensitivities performed;
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
In relation to the Group's reporting on how it has applied the UK Corporate Governance Code, we have nothing material to add or draw attention to in relation to the Directors' statement in the company's financial statements about whether the Directors considered it appropriate to adopt the going concern basis of accounting.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the Directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
| Scope | Our audit was scoped by obtaining an understanding of the Group, its environment, including the Group's system of internal control, and assessing the risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. We also addressed the risk of management override of internal controls, including assessing whether there was evidence of bias by the Directors that may have represented a risk of material misstatement. |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| We, and our component auditors acting on specific group instructions, undertook full scope audits on the complete financial information of 3 components of the Group; Zhaikmunai LLP, Nostrum Oil & Gas plc and Nostrum Services N.V., and specified audit procedures on particular aspects and balances on all other components of the Group. |
||||||
| First-year audit transition |
We developed a detailed audit transition plan, designed to deliver an effective transition from the Group's predecessor auditor, Ernst and Young LLP ("EY"). Our audit planning and transition commenced in March 2023, following our appointment. |
|||||
| Our transition activities included (but were not limited to) meeting relevant staff from EY, reviewing the Audit Committee meeting minutes and reviewing EY's 2021 audit working papers. |
||||||
| Our transition focused on obtaining an understanding of the Group's system of internal control, evaluating the Group's accounting policies and areas of accounting judgement, and meeting with management and the component auditors. |
||||||
| Materiality | ||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | |||||
| Group | US\$2.3m | US\$2.1m | 2% of adjusted EBITDA (2021: 2% of adjusted EBITDA) | |||
| Parent | US\$8.9m | US\$7.9m | 1% of the Parent Company's Equity (component materiality |
Recurring • Estimation of oil and gas reserves and its impact on impairment testing, depreciation, depletion and amortisation (DD&A) and the decommissioning provision;
for group purposes set at US\$0.3m)
• Impairment of oil & gas development and production fixed assets;
Key Audit Matters are those matters that, in our professional judgement, were of most significance in our audit of the financial statements of the current period and include the most significant assessed risks of material misstatement (whether or not due to fraud) that we identified. These matters included those matters which had the greatest effect on: the overall audit strategy; the allocation of resources in the audit; and directing the efforts of the engagement team. These matters were addressed in the context of our audit of the financial statements as a whole, and in forming our opinion thereon, and we do not provide a separate opinion on these matters.
| Key audit matter description | How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter | Key observations | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oil and gas reserves are a material factor in computing depreciation, depletion and amortisation (the "DD&A"). |
In addressing this risk, audit procedures were performed by the component team in Kazakhstan and the Group engagement team. This included: • Carried out walkthrough procedures and understood the Group's internal |
No material issues have been identified from the audit procedures performed. |
|
| Significant judgement and estimations are made by the management, which are potentially susceptible to management bias, and hence causing an impact on the financial statements due to the technical uncertainty in assessing reserves quantities. |
process and key controls associated with oil and gas reserves estimation; • Assessed the competence of internal management's specialists, to satisfy ourselves that they are appropriately qualified to carry out the volumes estimation; • Met with management's external specialist during the planning and execution of the audit and assessed their competence and objectivity by enquiry of their qualifications, practical experience and independence; |
||
| There is also a risk that management may influence the significant judgements and estimates in respect of commercial assumptions in order to portray favourable reserves disclosure to the market. |
• Checked the completeness and accuracy of the data transferred to the external specialist for audit; • Reviewed the oil and gas reserves audit report prepared by management's external specialist and directly inquired the specialist to understand the conclusion of their audit and verify that management's estimates were within their audit tolerance; • Corroborated management's commercial assumptions by checking that they lie within an acceptable range compared to publicly available benchmarks |
||
| where available; • Compared management's internal assumptions to the latest plans and budgets for consistency and challenged management's capabilities to execute on such plans by comparison to prior performance; • Validated that the updated reserves estimates were appropriately included in the Group's consideration of oil and gas asset impairment testing, in accounting |
|||
| for DD&A and the determination of decommissioning dates; • Reviewed the accuracy of the reserves and resource estimates disclosure in the Annual Report; • Obtained management's decommissioning provision assessment; • Critically assessed key inputs and challenged management's assumptions and judgements to test for reasonableness and indictors of bias; and • Recalculated the provision for restoration. |
| Key audit matter description | How the scope of our audit responded to the key audit matter | Key observations |
|---|---|---|
| There is a risk in management's judgement made on the impairment or impairment reversal of oil and gas assets since the recoverable amount of the oil and gas assets is sensitive to the changes in key inputs and assumptions, which may include the estimation of future prices of oil, natural gas and related products, the discount rate applied to future cash flow forecasts and the assumptions relevant to production volumes. There is also a risk that management may influence the significant judgements and estimates in respect of its key assumptions in order to understate the impairment charge to achieve a targeted result. |
In addressing this risk, audit procedures were performed by the component team in Kazakhstan and the Group engagement team. This included: • Obtained and evaluated management's assessment of indicators of impairment or impairment reversal; • Walked through the controls designed by the Group relating to the assessment of the recoverable amount of oil & gas assets for impairment; • Assessed whether the value in use (VIU) or the fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD) represents the higher recoverable amount; • Verified the integrity of supporting discounted cash flow models with the assistance of experts; • Evaluated the oil & gas prices and discount rate assumptions by comparing forecast price assumptions to the latest market evidence available, including forward curves, brokers' estimates and other long-term price forecasts; and benchmarked the discount rate to the risks faced by the Group; • Considered the existence of any contradictory evidence to challenge the recoverable amount determined on the basis of the discounted cash flow model, including the Group's enterprise value; • Assessed the appropriateness of the oil and gas reserves and resources estimates, and evaluated the risking factors applied in estimating the value associated with the contingent resources; • Challenged the valuation methodology for estimating the recoverable amount; specifically the value attributed to the contingent resources and the opportunity for utilising the spare GTU processing capacity, including the related judgements around risking; • Tested forecast cash flows by comparing the assumptions used within the impairment models to the approved budgets, business plans and other evidence of future intentions; • Assessed the historical accuracy of management's budgets and forecasts by comparing them to actual performance; • Performed sensitivity analysis in order to assess the potential impact of a range of reasonably possible outcomes. These sensitivities include adjustments to the discount rate, oil & gas prices, and working capital. |
No material issues have been identified from the audit procedures performed. |
Our definition of materiality considers the value of error or omission on the financial statements that, individually or in aggregate, would change or influence the economic decision of a reasonably knowledgeable user of those financial statements. Misstatements below these levels will not necessarily be evaluated as immaterial as we also take account of the nature of identified misstatements, and the particular circumstances of their occurrence, when evaluating their effect on the financial statements as a whole. Materiality is used in planning the scope of our work, executing that work and evaluating the results.
Our assessment of audit risk, evaluation of materiality and our determination of performance materiality sets our audit scope for each company within the Group. Taken together, this enables us to form an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. This assessment takes into account the size, risk profile, organisation / distribution and effectiveness of group-wide controls, changes in the business environment and other factors such as recent internal audit results when assessing the level of work to be performed at each component.
In assessing the risk of material misstatement to the consolidated financial statements, and to ensure we had adequate quantitative and qualitative coverage of significant accounts in the consolidated financial statements, of the 10 components of the Group, we identified 3 components in Kazakhstan, UK and Belgium which represent the principal business units within the Group.
Full scope audits – Of the 10 components selected, full scope audits of the complete financial information of 3 components; Zhaikmunai LLP Chinarevkoye field, Nostrum Oil & Gas plc and Nostrum Services N.V. were undertaken, these entities were selected based upon their size or risk characteristics.
Specified procedures – Specified procedures were undertaken on the remaining 7 components; Nostrum Associated Investments LLP, Nostrum Services Central Asia LLP, Nostrum Oil & Gas UK Ltd, Nostrum Oil & Gas Holdings Ltd, Nostrum Oil & Gas BV, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief UA, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V.
| Group | Parent Company | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Materiality | US\$2,300,000 (2021: US\$2,100,000) | US\$8,900,000 (2021: US\$7,900,000) | |
| Component materiality for group purposes was set at US\$310,000. |
|||
| Basis of determining overall materiality | We determined on the basis 2% of adjusted EBITDA (2021: 2% of adjusted EBITDA). |
We determined materiality based on 1% (2021: 1%) of the Company's equity. |
|
| Adjusted EBITDA was deemed to be the appropriate benchmark for the calculation of materiality as this is a KPI for the Group in the |
We have considered the primary users of the financial statements to be shareholders, loan note holders, management, and banks. |
||
| assessment of the performance of management, and market and analyst commentary also uses EBITDA to comment on the performance of the Group. The calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is as included in the Annual Report on page 53. |
This was deemed to be the most appropriate metric for materiality as this is primarily what the users of the financial statements are concerned with as the negative equity is a result of the financial guarantee. This is adjusted on consolidation and |
||
| In our opinion this is therefore the benchmark with which the users of the financial statements are principally concerned . |
therefore is only relevant for the parent company statement of financial position only. |
||
| Performance materiality | US\$1,380,000 (2021: US\$1,100,000) | US\$5,340,000 (2021: US\$3,950,000) | |
| Basis of determining overall performance materiality |
We set performance materiality based on 60% (2021: 50%) of overall materiality. |
We set performance materiality based on 60% (2021: 50%) of overall materiality. |
|
| Performance materiality is the application of materiality at the individual account or balance level, set at an amount to reduce, to an appropriately low level, the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality for the financial statements as a whole. |
Performance materiality is the application of materiality at the individual account or balance level, set at an amount to reduce, to an appropriately low level, the probability that the aggregate of uncorrected and undetected misstatements exceeds materiality for the financial statements as a whole. |
||
| The determination of performance materiality reflects our assessment of the risk of undetected errors existing, the nature of the systems and controls and the level of misstatements arising in previous audits. |
The determination of performance materiality reflects our assessment of the risk of undetected errors existing, the nature of the systems and controls and the level of misstatements arising in previous audits. |
||
| Error reporting threshold | warranted reporting on qualitative grounds. | We agreed to report any corrected or uncorrected adjustments exceeding US\$115,000 (2021: US\$106,000) to the Audit Committee as well as differences below this threshold that in our view |
The coverage achieved by our audit procedures was:
| Name | Number of components |
Revenue | Total assets | Loss before tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full scope audit | 3 | 100% | 64% | 66% |
| Specified and analytical procedures |
7 | – | 36% | 34% |
| Total | 10 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
The group audit team led and directed the audit work performed by the component auditors in Kazakhstan and Belgium through a combination of group planning meetings and calls, provision of group instructions (including detailed supplemental procedures), review and challenge of related component interoffice reporting and of findings from their working papers and interaction on audit and accounting matters which arose, this included assessing the appropriateness of conclusions and consistency between reported findings and work performed.
We evaluated the design and implementation of those internal controls of the Group, which are relevant to our audit, such as those relating to the financial reporting cycle.
Component IT audit specialists were engaged to get an understanding of the general IT environment and general IT controls for business critical applications principally based in Kazakhstan.
In planning our audit and gaining an understanding of the Group, we considered the potential impact of climate-related risks on the business and its financial statements. We obtained management's climate-related risk assessment, along with relevant documentation and reports relating to management's assessment and held discussions with management to understand its process for identifying and assessing the related risks.
We engaged internal specialists to assess and challenge, amongst other factors, the related risks and benchmarks identified by management, the nature of the Group's business activities, its processes and the geographic distribution of its activities.
We critically reviewed management's assessment and challenged the assumptions and disclosures underlying its assessment. We made enquiries to understand the extent of the potential impact of climate change risks on the Group's financial statements. This has included a review of the Group's climate change strategy, critical accounting estimates and judgements, and the effect on the MHA audit approach. We also considered the ongoing viability of the business in respect both to direct climate risks and changes in legislation as nations grapple with their commitments to reduce emissions.
The other information comprises the information included in the annual report other than the financial statements and our auditor's report thereon. The Directors are responsible for the other information contained within the annual report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the strategic report or the directors' report.
We have reviewed the Directors' statement in relation to going concern, viability and that part of the Corporate Governance Statement relating to the entity's compliance with the provisions of the UK Corporate Governance Code specified for our review by the listing rules.
Based on the work undertaken as part of our audit, we have concluded that each of the following elements of the Corporate Governance Statement is materially consistent with the financial statements and our knowledge obtained during the audit:
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, in our opinion:
We have nothing to report in respect of these matters.
As explained more fully in the Directors' responsibilities statement, the Directors are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the Directors determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the Directors are responsible for assessing the Group's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the Directors either intend to liquidate the Group or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor's report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists.
Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
A further description of our responsibilities for the financial statements is located on the FRC's website at: www.frc.org.uk/ auditorsresponsibilities . This description forms part of our auditor's report.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud.
These audit procedures were designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial statements were free from fraud or error. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement due to fraud is higher than the risk of not detecting one resulting from error and detecting irregularities that result from fraud is inherently more difficult than detecting those that result from error, as fraud may involve collusion, deliberate concealment, forgery or intentional misrepresentations. Also, the further removed non-compliance with laws and regulations is from events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely we would become aware of it.
The extent of the procedures undertaken to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, included the following:
As a result of the above, we identified the estimation of the oil & gas reserves, impairment of the oil & gas development and production fixed assets as key audit matters. The key audit matters section of our report explains these in more detail and the specific procedures we performed in response.
In addition to the above, audit procedures performed by the engagement team in connection with the risks identified included:
We communicated relevant laws and regulations and potential fraud risks to all engagement team members, including experts, and the component auditors and remained alert to any indications of fraud or non-compliance with laws and regulations throughout the audit.
We were appointed by the Audit Committee on 6 March 2023, this being the first year of engagement.
We did not provide any non-audit services which are prohibited by the FRC's Ethical Standard to the Group or the Parent Company, and we remain independent of the Group and the Parent Company in conducting our audit.
This report is made solely to the Parent Company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the Parent Company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Parent Company and the Parent Company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
As required by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rule (DTR) 4.1.14R, these financial statements form part of the European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) prepared Annual Financial Report filed on the National Storage Mechanism of the UK FCA in accordance with the ESEF Regulatory Technical Standard ('ESEF RTS'). This auditor's report provides no assurance over whether the annual financial report has been prepared using the single electronic format specified in the ESEF RTS.
For and on behalf of MHA, Statutory Auditor
London, United Kingdom
1 June 2023
MHA is the trading name of MacIntyre Hudson LLP, a limited liability partnership in England and Wales (registered number OC312313)
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
| 31 December | 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | Notes | 2022 | 2021 |
| Assets | |||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 5 | 276,023 | 320,125 |
| Advances for non-current assets | 6 | 2,114 | 1,418 |
| Restricted cash | 10 | 31,022 | 30,438 |
| 309,159 | 351,981 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Inventories | 7 | 30,196 | 31,387 |
| Prepayments and other current assets | 8 | 4,688 | 9,735 |
| Income tax prepayment | 95 | 300 | |
| Trade receivables | 9 | 12,395 | 6,659 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 10 | 233,584 | 165,246 |
| 280,958 | 213,327 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 590,117 | 565,308 | |
| Equity and liabilities | |||
| Share capital and reserves | 11 | ||
| Share capital | 3,203 | 3,203 | |
| Treasury capital | (1,660) | (1,660) | |
| Retained deficit and reserves | (941,769) | (824,796) | |
| (940,226) | (823,253) | ||
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Abandonment and site restoration provision | 14 | 20,073 | 29,008 |
| Due to Government of Kazakhstan | 15 | 4,002 | 4,563 |
| Deferred tax liability | 28 | 49,899 | 34,072 |
| 73,974 | 67,643 | ||
| Current liabilities | |||
| Notes payable and accumulated interest | 13 | 1,396,517 | 1,289,603 |
| Trade payables | 16 | 9,929 | 8,399 |
| Advances received | 52 | 9 | |
| Current portion of due to Government of Kazakhstan | 1,031 | 1,031 | |
| Other current liabilities | 17 | 48,840 | 21,876 |
| 1,456,369 | 1,320,918 | ||
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 590,117 | 565,308 |
The consolidated financial statements of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, registered number 8717287, were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 30 May 2023.
Signed on behalf of the Board:
Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer 30 May 2023
3 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 7 through 27 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 140 through 160 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
Assets
Non-current assets
Current assets
Equity and liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Current liabilities
Signed on behalf of the Board:
Arfan Khan
Chief Executive Officer 30 May 2023
Consolidated statement of financial position
In thousands of US Dollars Notes
Share capital and reserves 11
Property, plant and equipment 5 276,023 320,125 Advances for non-current assets 6 2,114 1,418 Restricted cash 10 31,022 30,438
Inventories 7 30,196 31,387 Prepayments and other current assets 8 4,688 9,735 Income tax prepayment 95 300 Trade receivables 9 12,395 6,659 Cash and cash equivalents 10 233,584 165,246
TOTAL ASSETS 590,117 565,308
Share capital 3,203 3,203 Treasury capital (1,660) (1,660) Retained deficit and reserves (941,769) (824,796)
Abandonment and site restoration provision 14 20,073 29,008 Due to Government of Kazakhstan 15 4,002 4,563 Deferred tax liability 28 49,899 34,072
Notes payable and accumulated interest 13 1,396,517 1,289,603 Trade payables 16 9,929 8,399 Advances received 52 9 Current portion of due to Government of Kazakhstan 1,031 1,031 Other current liabilities 17 48,840 21,876
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES 590,117 565,308 The consolidated financial statements of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, registered number 8717287, were authorised for issue by the Board of Directors on 30 May 2023.
31 December 2022 31 December 2021
309,159 351,981
280,958 213,327
(940,226) (823,253)
73,974 67,643
1,456,369 1,320,918
3 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 7 through 27 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
| For the year ended 31 December | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | Notes | 2022 | 2021 |
| Revenue | |||
| Revenue from export sales | 177,173 | 169,825 | |
| Revenue from domestic sales | 22,544 | 25,460 | |
| 18 | 199,717 | 195,285 | |
| Cost of sales | 19 | (84,053) | (87,849) |
| Gross profit | 115,664 | 107,436 | |
| General and administrative expenses | 20 | (12,076) | (12,124) |
| Selling and transportation expenses | 21 | (19,950) | (23,066) |
| Taxes other than income tax | 22 | (19,830) | (17,083) |
| Finance costs | 23 | (123,138) | (116,696) |
| Employee share options reversals | 38 | 247 | |
| Reversal of impairment on property, plant and equipment | 4 | – | 74,186 |
| Foreign exchange gain / (loss), net | 254 | (285) | |
| Interest income | 272 | 319 | |
| Other income | 25 | 6,806 | 5,886 |
| Other expenses | 25 | (29,821) | (13,218) |
| Loss before income tax | (81,781) | 5,602 | |
| Current income tax expense | (18,837) | (1,441) | |
| Deferred income tax expense | (15,827) | (30,279) | |
| Income tax expense | 26 | (34,664) | (31,720) |
| Loss for the year | (116,445) | (26,118) | |
| Other comprehensive income that could be reclassified to the income statement in | |||
| subsequent periods | |||
| Currency translation difference | (490) | (203) | |
| Other comprehensive loss | (490) | (203) | |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | (116,935) | (26,321) | |
| Loss for the year attributable to the shareholders (in thousands of US dollars) | (116,445) | (26,118) | |
| Weighted average number of shares1 | 169,086,713 | 169,086,713 | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per share (in US dollars) | 12 | (0.69) | (0.15) |
1 The number of shares has been adjusted as required under IAS 33.64 for the effect of the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 (Note 31).
All items in the above statement are derived from continuing operations.
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 7 through 27 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 140 through 160 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC 4
Consolidated financial statements
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars Notes |
2022 | 2021 |
| Cash flow from operating activities: | ||
| Loss before income tax | (81,781) | 5,602 |
| Adjustments for: | ||
| Depreciation, depletion and amortisation 19,20,21 |
51,835 | 57,295 |
| Impairment reversal 4 |
– | (74,186) |
| Finance costs 23 |
123,138 | 116,696 |
| Employee share options reversals | (38) | (247) |
| Interest income | (272) | (319) |
| Foreign exchange loss on investing and financing activities | 115 | (94) |
| Gain on disposal of exploration and evaluation assets | – | (749) |
| Write-off and impairment of new development costs 6 |
– | 9,056 |
| Operating profit before working capital changes | 92,997 | 113,054 |
| Changes in working capital: | ||
| Change in inventories | 1,458 | 2,451 |
| Change in trade receivables | (5,736) | 6,881 |
| Change in prepayments and other current assets | 5,047 | 741 |
| Change in trade payables | 1,094 | (1,686) |
| Change in advances received | 43 | (177) |
| Change in due to Government of Kazakhstan | (1,031) | (1,031) |
| Change in other current liabilities | 14,578 | (147) |
| Cash generated from operations | 108,450 | 120,086 |
| Income tax paid | (6,246) | (2,671) |
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 102,204 | 117,415 |
| Cash flow from investing activities: | ||
| Interest received | 272 | 319 |
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (14,770) | (8,611) |
| Exploration and evaluation works | – | (226) |
| Advances for non-current assets | (696) | (1,440) |
| Transfer to restricted cash | (587) | (9,820) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (15,781) | (19,778) |
| Cash flow from financing activities: | ||
| Other finance costs | (17,481) | (9,130) |
| Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities | – | (1,575) |
| Finance charges on lease liabilities | – | (157) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (17,481) | (10,862) |
| Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | (604) | (112) |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | 68,338 | 86,663 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 10 |
165,246 | 78,583 |
| 10 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year |
233,584 | 165,246 |
"Other finance costs" represent advisor fees of US\$17,481 thousand (2021: US\$ 4,331 thousand) paid by the Group in relation to the forbearance agreements, lockup agreements and ongoing process of restructuring of the Group's outstanding bonds. In 2021 these included also bondholder consent fees in the amount of US\$1,117 thousand. For more details see Note 1.
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 7 through 27 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 140 through 160 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
5 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC
| Share | Treasury | Other | Retained | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | Notes | capital | capital | reserves | deficit | Total |
| As at 1 January 2021 | 3,203 | (1,660) | 262,835 | (1,061,063) | (796,685) | |
| Loss for the year | – | – | – | (26,118) | (26,118) | |
| Other comprehensive loss | – | – | (203) | – | (203) | |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | – | – | (203) | (26,118) | (26,321) | |
| Share based payments under LTIP* | – | – | (247) | – | (247) | |
| As at 31 December 2021 | 3,203 | (1,660) | 262,385 | (1,087,181) | (823,253) | |
| Loss for the year | – | – | – | (116,445) | (116,445) | |
| Other comprehensive income | – | – | (490) | – | (490) | |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | – | – | (490) | (116,445) | (116,935) | |
| Share based payments under LTIP* | – | – | (38) | – | (38) | |
| As at 31 December 2022 | 3,203 | (1,660) | 261,857 | (1,203,626) | (940,226) | |
* Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP")
For the year ended 31 December
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
Cash flow from operating activities:
Adjustments for:
Changes in working capital:
Cash flow from investing activities:
Cash flow from financing activities:
US\$1,117 thousand. For more details see Note 1.
Consolidated statement of cash flows
In thousands of US Dollars Notes 2022 2021
Loss before income tax (81,781) 5,602
Depreciation, depletion and amortisation 19,20,21 51,835 57,295 Impairment reversal 4 – (74,186) Finance costs 23 123,138 116,696 Employee share options reversals (38) (247) Interest income (272) (319) Foreign exchange loss on investing and financing activities 115 (94) Gain on disposal of exploration and evaluation assets – (749) Write-off and impairment of new development costs 6 – 9,056 Operating profit before working capital changes 92,997 113,054
Change in inventories 1,458 2,451 Change in trade receivables (5,736) 6,881 Change in prepayments and other current assets 5,047 741 Change in trade payables 1,094 (1,686) Change in advances received 43 (177) Change in due to Government of Kazakhstan (1,031) (1,031) Change in other current liabilities 14,578 (147) Cash generated from operations 108,450 120,086 Income tax paid (6,246) (2,671) Net cash flows from operating activities 102,204 117,415
Interest received 272 319 Purchase of property, plant and equipment (14,770) (8,611) Exploration and evaluation works – (226) Advances for non-current assets (696) (1,440) Transfer to restricted cash (587) (9,820) Net cash used in investing activities (15,781) (19,778)
Other finance costs (17,481) (9,130) Payment of principal portion of lease liabilities – (1,575) Finance charges on lease liabilities – (157) Net cash used in financing activities (17,481) (10,862)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (604) (112)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 68,338 86,663
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 10 165,246 78,583 Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year 10 233,584 165,246
"Other finance costs" represent advisor fees of US\$17,481 thousand (2021: US\$ 4,331 thousand) paid by the Group in relation to the forbearance agreements, lockup agreements and ongoing process of restructuring of the Group's outstanding bonds. In 2021 these included also bondholder consent fees in the amount of
5 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 7 through 27 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 7 through 27 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 140 through 160 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Consolidated financial statements For year ended 31 December 2022
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC 6
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC ("the Company" or "the Parent") is a public limited company incorporated on 3 October 2013 under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales with registered number 8717287. The registered address of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC is: 20 Eastbourne Terrace, London, W2 6LG, UK.
These consolidated financial statements include the financial position and the results of the operations of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC and its following wholly owned subsidiaries:
| Form of | Owner | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Company | Registered office | capital | ship, % |
| Nostrum | 43B Karev street, | Participat | 100 |
| Associated | 090000 Uralsk, | ory | |
| Investments | Republic of | interests | |
| LLP | Kazakhstan | ||
| Nostrum Oil | Bloemendaalseweg | Members' | 100 |
| & Gas | 139, 2061 CH | interests | |
| Coöperatief | Bloemendaal, | ||
| U.A. | The Netherlands | ||
| Nostrum Oil | Bloemendaalseweg | Ordinary | 100 |
| & Gas B.V. | 139, 2061 CH | shares | |
| Bloemendaal, | |||
| The Netherlands | |||
| Nostrum Oil | Bloemendaalseweg | Ordinary | 100 |
| & Gas | 139, 2061 CH | shares | |
| Finance B.V. | Bloemendaal, | ||
| The Netherlands | |||
| Nostrum Oil | 20 Eastbourne | Ordinary | 100 |
| & Gas UK | Terrace, London, | shares | |
| Ltd. | W2 6LA, | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| Nostrum Oil | 20 Eastbourne | Ordinary | 100 |
| & Gas | Terrace, London, | shares | |
| Holding Ltd | W2 6LG, UK | ||
| Nostrum | Aksai 3a, 75/38, | Participat | 100 |
| Services | 050031 Almaty, | ory | |
| Central Asia | Republic of | interests | |
| LLP | Kazakhstan | ||
| Nostrum | Chaussee de Wavre | Ordinary | 100 |
| Services N.V. | 20, 1360 Perwez, | shares | |
| Belgium | |||
| Zhaikmunai | 43/1 Karev street, | Participat | 100 |
| LLP | 090000 Uralsk, | ory | |
| Republic of | interests | ||
| Kazakhstan |
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as "the Group". The Group's operations comprise of a single operating segment including all Group's assets related to its Chinarevskoye field, as well as surface facilities, and are primarily conducted through its oil and gas producing entity Zhaikmunai LLP located in Kazakhstan.
On 30 April 2021, the Group disposed of its entire holding in the equity of Nostrum E&P Services LLP.
As at 31 December 2022 the Group employed 566 employees (31 December 2021: 559).
7 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC
Zhaikmunai LLP carries out its activities in accordance with the Contract for Additional Exploration, Production and Production-Sharing of Crude Hydrocarbons in the Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field (the "Contract") dated 31October 1997 between the State Committee of Investments of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Zhaikmunai LLP in accordance with the license MG No. 253D for the exploration and production of hydrocarbons in Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field.
The term of the Chinarevskoye subsoil use rights included a 5-year exploration period followed by a 25-year production period with the Contract being valid until the end of 2031.
Zhaikmunai LLP is required to make monthly royalty payments throughout the entire production period, at the rates specified in the Contract.
Royalty rates depend on hydrocarbons recovery levels and the phase of production and can vary from 3% to 7% of produced crude oil and from 4% to 9% of produced natural gas. Royalty is accounted on a gross basis.
Zhaikmunai LLP makes payments to the Government of its "profit share" as determined in the Contract. The "profit share" depends on hydrocarbon production levels and varies from 10% to 40% of production after deducting royalties and reimbursable expenditures. Reimbursable expenditures include operating expenses, costs of additional exploration and development costs. Government "profit share" is expensed as incurred and paid in cash. Government profit share is accounted on a gross basis.
On 31 March 2020, the Group announced that it would seek to engage with its bondholders regarding a possible restructuring of the Group's US\$725 million 8.0% Senior Notes due July 2022 ("2022 Notes") and its US\$400 million 7.0% Senior Notes due February 2025 ("2025 Notes") (together, the "Existing Notes").
In May 2020, the Group engaged Rothschild & Co ("Rothschild") as financial advisers and White & Case LLP ("White & Case") as legal advisers to assist in the restructuring of the Existing Notes. Since then, the Company has been in restructuring discussions with an informal ad hoc group of noteholders (the "Ad Hoc Group" or "AHG"), who are advised by PJT Partners (financial) and Akin Gump LLP (legal). The Company has also been in discussions with its largest shareholder ICU Holdings Limited ("ICU"), also a holder of the Existing Notes, and their legal advisors Dechert LLP from 2021.
The Group has not made coupon payments due under the Existing Notes since July 2020, which was an event of default under the terms of the indentures governing 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes. However, the Company continued active discussions with the financial and legal advisers to the AHG and signed the First Forbearance Agreement ("First FBA") with the AHG on 23October 2020 and a new Forbearance Agreement ("Second FBA") on 19 May 2021 (together the "FBAs"). The First FBA and the Second FBA were on substantially the same terms and prohibited the AHG from exercising certain rights and remedies under the Existing Note indentures. The FBAs were intended to provide the Group with a short-term solution to its liquidity issues and a platform to engage in discussions with the noteholders in relation to a potential restructuring.
As part of the signing of the FBAs, the Company agreed to pay consent fees to existing noteholders as well as agreeing to deposit a portion of the missed initial coupon payments into a Restricted Account. A total of US\$6,701,973 has been paid in consent fees during the signing and various extensions of the FBAs, of which US\$1,116,990 was paid in 2021. A total of US\$22,658,980 has been deposited into the Restricted Account under the terms of the FBAs (including US\$9,758.980 transferred in 2021), with Nostrum having access to the funds under certain circumstances, such as liquidity falling below an agreed threshold).
On 23 December 2021, the Group entered into a lock-up agreement (the "First LUA") and agreed terms of a restructuring with noteholders. Holders of 77.73% of the total aggregate principal amount of the Notes signed or acceded to the First LUA including a majority of holders of aggregate principal amount of both Senior Notes and an affiliate of ICU in its capacity as a shareholder and holder of the Notes. A fee of 50 bps (the "Lock-up Fee") was payable to each Participating Noteholder who was originally party to the First LUA or acceded to the First LUA within 22 days of its execution (i.e. by 14 January 2022).
The First LUA expired on 17 August 2022, on which day the Company entered into the Second Lock-Up Agreement with the AHG and ICU (the "Second LUA"). The parties to the Second LUA gave similar undertakings to those given in the First LUA, and terms of the Restructuring remained the same. No consent or "early bird" fee was payable in relation to the Second LUA.
Upon signing of the First LUA and the Second LUA (together the "LUAs"), the Second FBA was extended in parallel. The terms and conditions continued to remain in effect during the restructuring until the successful closing of the restructuring.
The below outlines the key terms of the restructuring as agreed between the Group, acceded noteholders and ICU in the LUAs and also voted in favour of by Nostrum shareholders:
Following execution of the Lock-up Agreement, the Company commenced implementation of the Restructuring.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
On 4 February 2022, the Company received the required consents from noteholders after a solicitation process to approve the amendments to the Existing Notes indentures. The approved amendments (i) changed the governing law and jurisdiction of both Existing Notes indentures from the State of New York to the laws of England and Wales; (ii) made Nostrum Oil & Gas plc a co-issuer of the Existing Notes and (iii) other smaller amendments to facilitate the implementation of the restructuring. Holders of 87.081% in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes and Holders of 91.222% in aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes provided consents. No consent solicitation payments were made to vote in favour.
On 29 April 2022, 99.99% of voting shareholders voted for the implementation of the restructuring which meant that the restructuring continues under a UK scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006. Further, 99.89% of voting shareholders voted in favour of the RPT Resolution, allowing a related party to receive the issuance of new securities under the scheme.
On 20 June 2022, the High Court of Justice of England and Wales has made an order granting the Company permission to convene a meeting for the Scheme creditors to approve the Restructuring.
On 1 July 2022, the Company received the required consents from the Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy («MOE») with respect to (i) the issue of new shares and warrants (in partial repayment of the Existing Notes) and (ii) the waiver of the State of Kazakhstan's priority right to acquire such new shares and warrants.
On 1 August 2022, after receiving a key regulatory authorisation from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control, the Company issued a notice inviting Scheme creditors to a Scheme meeting on 21 August 2022. At the Scheme meeting with participation and voting (by proxy) of 148 Scheme Creditors, the Scheme proposed by the Company in connection with the Restructuring was approved by the requisite majority of Scheme Creditors (being a majority in number, representing at least 75 percent in value of the Scheme Creditors present and voting).
On 26 August 2022, the Scheme Sanction Hearing took place, whereby the Court made an order sanctioning the Scheme, following which on 31 August 2022 the Scheme Sanction Order was lodged with Companies House and the Scheme thereby took effect and binds (amongst other parties) all Scheme Creditors and the Company by its terms.
On 14 October 2022, a prospectus was approved by the FCA and published by the Company (the 'Prospectus'). The Prospectus relates to the proposed admission of up to 1,505,633,046 new ordinary shares to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the main market for listed securities of London Stock Exchange plc.
Consolidated financial statements For year ended 31 December 2022
In January 2023, the Group received the licence from Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (the UK) approving the Scheme and the issue of the Prospectus, and confirmations that such licences are not required from the Ministry of Finance (the Netherlands) and Policy & Resources Committee (the UK, States of Guernsey).
On 9 February the Group notified that the Restructuring was implemented pursuant to the terms of the Scheme sanctioned by the Court on 26 August 2022. The terms of the Restructuring included the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital of the Company following the issue of the New Shares on 9 February 2023. This sub-division and share consolidation occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 and resulted in the number of Ordinary Shares on issue being reduced from approximately 1,693.8 million Ordinary Shares (following the issue of the New Shares yesterday) to approximately 169.4 million Ordinary Shares on the basis of a 10:1 consolidation of ordinary shares. Accordingly, on 10 February 2023, 150,563,304 new Ordinary Shares have been admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NOG.L". The Company's ordinary shares (including the New Shares) were also admitted to listing and trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) on 13 February 2023. The New Warrants will not be admitted to listing and trading on the AIX. The New Notes and the New Warrants were also admitted to listing and trading on The International Stock Exchange (TISE) with effect from 9 February 2023. No securities will be listed on the Euronext Dublin.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
These consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 have been prepared in accordance with the UK adopted International Accounting Standards. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared based on a historical cost basis (Note 4). The consolidated financial statements are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousand, except when otherwise indicated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires the use of certain critical accounting estimates. It also requires from management to exercise its judgment in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The areas involving a higher degree of judgment or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements are disclosed in Note 4. The Group recognises that there may be potential financial implications in the future from changes in legislation and regulation implemented to address climate change risk. Over time these changes may have an impact across a number of areas of accounting including asset impairment, increased costs, provisions, onerous contracts and contingent liabilities. However, as at the reporting sheet date, the Group believes there is no material impact on the balance sheet carrying values of assets or liabilities. This is not considered a significant estimate.
The consolidated financial statements comprise the financial statements of the Parent and its subsidiaries as at 31 December 2022. Control is achieved when the Group is exposed, or has rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the investee. Specifically, the Group controls an investee if, and only if, the Group has:
Generally, there is a presumption that a majority of voting rights results in control. To support this presumption and when the Group has less than a majority of the voting or similar rights of an investee, the Group considers all relevant facts and circumstances in assessing whether it has power over an investee, including:
The Group re-assesses whether or not it controls an investee if facts and circumstances indicate that there are changes to one or more of the three elements of control. Consolidation of a subsidiary begins when the Group obtains control over the subsidiary and ceases when the Group loses control of the subsidiary. Assets, liabilities, income and expenses of a subsidiary acquired or disposed of during the year are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date the Group gains control until the date the Group ceases to control the subsidiary.
These consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. For more information on the going concern assessment of the Group please see page 52 of the Annual Report.
The directors are satisfied that the Group has sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of this report.
Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the consolidated financial statements.
Nostrum Oil & Gas UK Ltd. registered and incorporated in the United Kingdom under Companies Number 08071559 is exempt from the requirements of the UK Companies Act 2006 relating to the audit of the individual accounts by virtue of the section 479A of the Act.
The accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the financial statements are consistent with those followed in the preparation of the Group's annual financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022, except for the adoption of new standards effective as of 1 January 2022. The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.
Several amendments apply for the first time in 2022, but do not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
An onerous contract is a contract under which the unavoidable costs (i.e., the costs that the Group cannot avoid because it has the contract) of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.
The amendments specify that when assessing whether a contract is onerous or loss-making, an entity needs to include costs that relate directly to a contract to provide goods or services include both incremental costs (e.g., the costs of direct labour and materials) and an allocation of costs directly related to contract activities (e.g., depreciation of equipment used to fulfil the contract as well as costs of contract management and supervision). General and administrative costs do not relate directly to a contract and are excluded unless they are explicitly chargeable to the counterparty under the contract.
The Group applies these amendments to contracts for which it has not yet fulfilled all its obligations at 1 January 2022. These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
Reference to the Conceptual Framework – Amendments to IFRS 3
The amendments replace a reference to a previous version of the IASB's Conceptual Framework with a reference to the current version issued in March 2018 without significantly changing its requirements.
The amendments add an exception to the recognition principle of IFRS 3 Business Combinations to avoid the issue of potential 'day 2' gains or losses arising for liabilities and contingent liabilities that would be within the scope of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets or IFRIC 21 Levies, if incurred separately. The exception requires entities to apply the criteria in IAS 37 or IFRIC 21, respectively, instead of the Conceptual Framework, to determine whether a present obligation exists at the acquisition date. The amendments also add a new paragraph to IFRS 3 to clarify that contingent assets do not qualify for recognition at the acquisition date.
These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group as there were no contingent assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities within the scope of these amendments arisen during the period.
The amendment prohibits entities from deducting from the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment, any proceeds of the sale of items produced while bringing that asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, an entity recognises the proceeds from selling such items, and the costs of producing those items, in profit or loss.
These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group as there were no sales of such items produced by property, plant and equipment made available for use on or after the beginning of the earliest period presented.
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments – Fees in the '10 per cent' test for derecognition of financial liabilities
The amendment clarifies the fees that an entity includes when assessing whether the terms of a new or modified financial liability are substantially different from the terms of the original financial liability. These fees include only those paid or received between the borrower and the lender, including fees paid or received by either the borrower or lender on the other's behalf. There is no similar amendment proposed for IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
These amendments had no impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group as there were no modifications of the Group's financial instruments during the period.
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the Group's consolidated financial statements are disclosed below. The Group intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective.
IAS 8.30 IAS 8.31(d) IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts
In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts(IFRS 17), a comprehensive new accounting standard forinsurance contracts covering recognition and measurement, presentation and disclosure. Once effective, IFRS 17 willreplace IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts(IFRS 4)
that wasissued in 2005. IFRS 17 appliesto all types of insurance contracts(i.e., life, non-life, direct insurance and re-insurance), regardless of the type of entitiesthat issue them, as well asto certain guarantees and financial instruments with discretionary participation features. A few scope exceptions will apply. The overall objective of IFRS 17 isto provide an accounting model forinsurance contractsthat is more useful and consistent for insurers. In contrast to the requirementsin IFRS 4, which are largely based on grandfathering previous local accounting policies, IFRS 17 provides a comprehensive model forinsurance contracts, covering allrelevant accounting aspects. The core of IFRS 17 isthe general model,supplemented by: • A specific adaptation for contracts with direct participation features(the variable fee approach) • A simplified approach (the premium allocation approach) mainly forshort-duration contracts IFRS 17 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, with comparative figuresrequired. Early application is permitted, provided the entity also appliesIFRS 9 and IFRS 15 on or before the date it first appliesIFRS 17. This standard is not applicable to the Group.
In January 2020, the IASB issued amendmentsto paragraphs 69 to 76 of IAS 1 to specify the requirementsfor classifying liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments clarify:
• That classification is unaffected by the likelihood that an entity will exercise its deferralright • That only if an embedded derivative in a convertible liability isitself an equity instrument would the terms of a liability not impact its classification
The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024 and must be applied retrospectively. The Group is currently assessing the impact the amendments will have on current practice.
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendmentsto IAS 8, in which it introduces a definition of 'accounting estimates'. The amendments clarify the distinction between changesin accounting estimates and changesin accounting policies and the correction of errors. Also, they clarify how entities usemeasurement techniques and inputs to develop accounting estimates. The amendments are effective for annual
reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 and apply to changesin accounting policies
and changesin accounting estimatesthat occur on or after the start of that period. Earlier application is permitted aslong asthisfact is disclosed. The amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Group's consolidated financialstatements.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendmentsto IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements, in which it provides guidance and examplesto help entities apply materiality judgementsto accounting policy disclosures. The amendments aim to help entities provide accounting policy disclosuresthat are more useful by replacing the requirement for entitiesto disclose their'significant' accounting policies with a requirement to disclose their 'material' accounting policies and adding guidance on how entities apply the concept ofmateriality in making decisions about accounting policy disclosures.
The amendmentsto IAS 1 are applicable for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 with earlier application permitted. Since the amendmentsto the Practice Statement 2 provide non-mandatory guidance on the application of the definition ofmaterial to accounting policy information, an effective date forthese amendmentsis not necessary. The Group is currently revisiting their accounting
policy information disclosuresto ensure consistency with the amended requirements.
In May 2021, the Board issued amendmentsto IAS 12, which narrow the scope of the initial recognition exception underIAS 12,so that it no longer appliesto transactionsthat give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences.
The amendmentsshould be applied to transactionsthat occur on or afterthe beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. In addition, at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented, a deferred tax asset (provided thatsufficient taxable profit is available) and a deferred tax liability should also be recognised for all deductible and taxable temporary differences associated with leases and decommissioning obligations.
The amendmentsto IAS 1 are applicable for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 with earlier application permitted. The Group is currently assessing the impact of the amendments. For the year ended 31 December 2022
Expenditure on the construction, installation or completion of infrastructure facilities such as treatment facilities, pipelines and the drilling of development wells, is capitalised within property, plant and equipment as oil and gas properties. The initial cost of an asset comprises of its purchase price or construction cost, any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset into operation and the initial estimate of decommissioning obligations, if any.
The purchase price or construction cost is the aggregate amount paid and the fair value of any other consideration given to acquire the asset. When a development project moves into the production stage, the capitalisation of certain construction/development costs ceases, and costs are either regarded as part of the cost of inventory or expensed, except for costs which qualify for capitalisation relating to oil and gas property asset additions, improvements or new developments.
All capitalised costs of oil and gas properties are depleted using the unit-of-production method based on estimated proved developed reserves of the field, except the Group depreciates its oil pipeline and oil loading terminal on a straight-line basis over the life of the relevant subsoil use rights. In the case of assets that have a useful life shorter than the lifetime of the field the straight-line method is applied.
All other property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment. Historical cost includes expenditures that are directly attributable to the acquisition of the items. Subsequent costs are included in the asset's carrying amount or recognised as a separate asset, as appropriate, only when it is probable that future economic benefits associated with the item will flow to the Group and the cost of the item can be measured reliably. All other repairs and maintenance are charged to the profit or loss during the year in which they are incurred.
Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
| Years | |
|---|---|
| Buildings and constructions | 7-15 |
| Vehicles | 8 |
| Machinery and equipment | 3-13 |
| Other | 3-10 |
Land is a non-depreciable asset and therefore is not subject to depreciation. It is the company's policy to maintain the original cost of land on the balance sheet. However, the land's value may be reviewed periodically to determine if there is any impairment in value.
For more detailed information in relation to property plant and equipment, please refer to Note 5.
Oil and gas reserves are a material factor in the Group's computation of depreciation, depletion and amortisation (the "DD&A"). Management used significant accounting judgement in selecting proved developed hydrocarbon reserves for calculating the unit-of-production depletion rate, as it reflects the expected pattern of consumption of future economic benefits by the Group.
The Group uses internal estimates to assess the oil and gas reserves of its fields. The reserves estimates are made in accordance with the methodology of the Society of Petroleum Engineers (the "SPE") and are confirmed or audited by independent reserve engineers. All reserve estimates involve some degree of uncertainty, which depends mainly on the amount of reliable geological and engineering data available at the time of the estimate and the interpretation of this data, as well as long-term hydrocarbon pricing, which may affect classification of reserves.
The relative degree of uncertainty can be conveyed by placing reserves into one of two principal classifications, either proved or unproved. Proved reserves are more certain to be recovered than unproved reserves and may be further sub classified as developed and undeveloped to denote progressively increasing uncertainty in their recoverability.
Reserves estimates are reviewed and revised annually. Revisions occur due to the evaluation or re-evaluation of already available geological, reservoir or production data; availability of new data; or changes to underlying price assumptions. Reserve estimates may also be revised due to improved recovery projects, changes in production capacity or changes in development strategy.
Management's estimates of the Chinarevskoye 2P (Proved plus Probable) volume as at 31 December 2022 was 28.3 mmboe requiring 17 capital interventions (2021: 34.3 mmboe requiring 12 interventions). The reduction was primarily due to 2022 production of 4.9 mmboe and downwards revision in the Biyski NE gas due to 2022 performance which was partially offset by the smaller positive revisions in oil/condensate.
Downward revision of the proved developed reserves estimates by 5% would lead to additional DD&A expense of \$582 thousand in 2022.
Estimates of economically recoverable oil and gas reserves and related future net cash flows also impact the impairment assessment of the Group (see Impairment related significant judgements, estimates and assumptions for further details).
Details on carrying values of oil and gas properties and related depreciation, depletion and amortization are shown in Note 4.
In addition, provisions for decommissioning may require revision — where changes to reserves estimates affect expectations about when such activities will occur and the associated cost of these activities (see Decommissioning related significant judgements, estimates and assumptions for further details).
The Group assesses assets or groups of assets, called cash-generating units (CGUs), for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or CGU may not be recoverable; for example, changes in the Group's business plans, significant decreases in the market commodity prices, low plant utilisation, evidence of physical damage or, for oil and gas assets, significant downward revisions of estimated reserves or increases in estimated future development expenditure or decommissioning costs. If any such indication of impairment exists, the Group makes an estimate of the asset's recoverable amount.
Individual assets are grouped into a CGU for impairment assessment purposes at the lowest level at which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets. A CGU's recoverable amount is the higher of its fair value less costs of disposal and its value in use. Where the carrying amount of a CGU exceeds its recoverable amount, the CGU is considered impaired, and an impairment loss is recognised for the excess of carrying amount over recoverable amount.
The business cash flow internal model, which is approved on an annual basis by senior management, is the primary source of information
Significant accounting judgment: identification of cash-generating unit
Judgement is required to identify cash-generating units for the purpose of testing the assets for impairment. Management has determined a single cashgenerating unit within the Group's non-current assets consisting of all Group's assets related to its Chinarevskoye field and facilities. This is mainly based on the fact that hydrocarbons extracted from the Chinarevskoye field are processed and passed through a combination of various facilities.
Determination as to whether, and by how much, the CGU is impaired involves management's best estimates on highly uncertain matters such as future commodity prices, operating expenses and capital expenditures estimates, discount rate, fiscal regimes, proved and probable reserves, contingent resources and respective future production profiles.
Based on the management assessment the recoverable amount was determined by the fair value less costs of disposal (FVLCD) of the CGU, which was higher than its value-in-use. FVLCD was based on the discounted cash flow model as no recent third-party transactions existed on which a reliable marketbased fair value could be established.
The discounted cash flow model takes into consideration cash flows, which are expected to arise until 2032, i.e. during the licence term of the Chinarevskoye field, and is considered a level 3 valuation under the fair value hierarchy. The period exceeding five years is believed to be appropriate based on the proved and probable reserves audited by independent engineers. The model also takes into account risked-value cash flows from contingent resources on the basis a market participant would place value on these resources.
The key assumptions used in the Group's discounted cash flow model reflecting past experience and taking into account external factors are subject to periodic review. These assumptions are:
for the determination of the recoverable amount. It contains forecasts for oil and gas production, sales volumes for various types of products, revenues, costs and capital expenditure. As an initial step in the preparation of this model, various assumptions are set by senior management. These assumptions take account of commodity prices, global supply-demand equilibrium for oil and natural gas, other macroeconomic factors and historical trends and variability. In assessing the recoverable amount, the estimated future cash flows are adjusted for the risks specific to the asset group and are discounted to their present value using a discount rate.
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
• Post-tax discount rate of 11.6%, estimated to be equivalent to pre-tax discount rate of 16.5% (2021: 8.5% and 12.5%, respectively).
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
The impairment testing carried out by the Group as of 31 December 2022 has resulted in the recoverable amount approximating the carrying amount of the Group's property, plant and equipment as of 31 December 2022. Hence no impairment charge or reversal was recognised.
The impairment testing carried out by the Group as of 31 December 2021 has resulted in the recoverable amount exceeding the carrying amount of the Group's property, plant and equipment as of 31 December 2021. This has primarily resulted from the upward revision of the product price assumptions, as described above. Hence, the Group recognised a reversal of the previously recognised impairment in the amount of US\$74,186 thousand in 2021.
The impairment reversal as at 31 December 2021 and charge as at 31 December 2021 has been allocated as follows: In thousands of US Dollars 31 December
| 2021 | |
|---|---|
| Working oil and gas assets | 63,118 |
| Construction in progress | 9,420 |
| Other property, plant and equipment | 1,648 |
| Total impairment reversal / (charge) | 74,186 |
As at 31 December 2022 the recoverable amount of property, plant and equipment was approximate to its carrying value (31 December 2021: US\$320,125 thousand).
More detailed information on carrying values of oil and gas properties and related depreciation, depletion, amortisation and impairment are shown in Note 4.
The following table summarizes sensitivity of the recoverable amount and respective potential impairment charges that would result from changes in the key assumptions:
| Key assumption | Change | Sensitivity (US\$) |
|---|---|---|
| Oil price decrease by | \$10/bbl | 39,037 |
| Reserves downgrade by | 10.0% | 50,418 |
| Post-tax discount rate increase by | 4.0% | 41,926 |
| Operating costs increase by | 10.0% | 21,280 |
On the other hand, certain positive development like successful mitigation of reservoir risks in the future and respective changes in the drilling plans and results, with the relevant increase in 2P reserves, or increase in utilisation of the Group's processing facilities, could have the effect of reversing the impairment. Any reversal would be limited so that the carrying amount of the CGU does not exceed the lower of its recoverable amount, or the carrying amount that would have been determined, net of depreciation, had no impairment charge been recognised for the CGU in prior years.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
The Group applies a single recognition and measurement approach for all leases, except for short-term leases and leases of low-value assets. The Group recognises lease liabilities to make lease payments and right-of-use assets representing the right to use the underlying assets.
The Group recognises right-of-use assets at the commencement date of the lease (i.e., the date the underlying asset is available for use). Right-of-use assets are measured at cost, less any accumulated depreciation and impairment losses, and adjusted for any remeasurement of lease liabilities. The cost of right-of-use assets includes the amount of lease liabilities recognised, initial direct costs incurred, and lease payments made at or before the commencement date less any lease incentives received. Unless the Group is reasonably certain to obtain ownership of the leased asset at the end of the lease term, the recognised right-of-use assets are depreciated on a straight-line basis over the shorter of its estimated useful life and the lease term. Right-of-use assets are subject to impairment.
At the commencement date of the lease, the Group recognises lease liabilities measured at the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. The lease payments include fixed payments (including in substance fixed payments) less any lease incentives receivable, variable lease payments that depend on an index or a rate, and amounts
expected to be paid under residual value guarantees. The lease payments also include the exercise price of a purchase option reasonably certain to be exercised by the Group and payments of penalties for terminating a lease, if the lease term reflects the Group exercising the option to terminate.
Variable lease payments that do not depend on an index or a rate are recognised as expense in the period on which the event or condition that triggers the payment occurs.
In calculating the present value of lease payments, the Group uses the incremental borrowing rate at the lease commencement date if the interest rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable. After the commencement date, the amount of lease liabilities is increased to reflect the accretion of interest and reduced for the lease payments made. In addition, the carrying amount of lease liabilities is remeasured if there is a modification, a change in the lease term, a change in the in-substance fixed lease payments or a change in the assessment to purchase the underlying asset.
When contracts for a lease (such as like lease of drilling rigs and rail-tank cars) include various additional services like personnel cost, maintenance, drilling related activities, and other items, the Group splits such non-lease components and recognises them separately. Where the additional services are not separately priced, the
consideration paid is allocated based on the relative stand-alone prices of the lease and non-lease components.
Certain lease contracts include fixed rates for when the asset is in operation, and various alternative rates (like "cold-stack rates" for leases of drilling rigs) for periods where the asset is engaged in specified activities or idle, but still under contract. In general, variability in lease payments under these contracts has its basis in different use and activity levels, and the variable elements have been determined to relate to non-lease components only. Consequently, the lease components of these contractual payments are considered fixed for the purposes of IFRS 16.
The Group applies the short-term lease recognition exemption to its short-term leases of machinery and equipment (i.e., those leases that have a lease term of 12 months or less from the commencement date and do not contain a purchase option). It also applies the lease of low-value assets recognition exemption to leases of office equipment that are considered of low value (i.e., below US\$ 5,000). Lease payments on short-term leases and leases of low-value assets are recognised as expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of an acquisition is measured as the aggregate of the consideration transferred, measured at acquisition date fair value and the amount of any non-controlling interest ("NCI") in the acquiree. For each business combination, the Group elects whether to measure NCI in the acquiree at fair value or at the proportionate share of the acquiree's identifiable net assets. Acquisition related costs are expensed as incurred and included in administrative expenses.
When the Group acquires a business, it assesses the assets and liabilities assumed for appropriate classification and designation in accordance with the contractual terms, economic circumstances and pertinent conditions as at the acquisition date. This includes the separation of embedded derivatives in host contracts by the acquiree. Those acquired petroleum reserves and resources that can be reliably measured are recognised separately in the
assessment of fair values on acquisition. Other potential reserves, resources and rights, for which fair values cannot be reliably measured, are not recognised separately, but instead are included in goodwill.
Goodwill is initially measured at cost, being the excess of the aggregate of the consideration transferred and the amount recognised for NCI over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired and liabilities assumed. If the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired is in excess of the aggregate consideration transferred (bargain purchase), before recognising a gain, the Group reassesses whether it has correctly identified all of the assets acquired and all of the liabilities assumed and reviews the procedures used to measure the amounts to be recognised at the acquisition date. If the reassessment still results in an excess of the fair value of net assets acquired over the aggregate consideration transferred, then the gain is
recognised in the statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
After initial recognition, goodwill is measured at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. For the purpose of impairment testing, goodwill acquired in a business combination is, from the acquisition date, allocated to each of the Group's CGUs that are expected to benefit from the combination, irrespective of whether other assets or liabilities of the acquiree are assigned to those units.
Where goodwill forms part of a Cash Generating Unit ("CGU") and part of the operation in that unit is disposed of, the goodwill associated with the disposed operation is included in the carrying amount of the operation when determining the gain or loss on disposal. Goodwill disposed of in these circumstances is measured based on the relative values of the disposed operation and the portion of the CGU retained.
Uncertainties exist with respect to the interpretation of complex tax regulations, changes in tax laws, and the amount and timing of future taxable income. Given the wide range of international business relationships and the longterm nature and complexity of existing contractual agreements, differences arising between the actual results and the assumptions made, or future changes to such assumptions, could necessitate future adjustments to tax bases of income and expense already recorded. The Group establishes provisions, based on reasonable estimates, for possible consequences of audits by the tax authorities of the respective counties in which it operates. The amount of such provisions is based on various factors, such as experience of previous tax audits and differing interpretations of tax regulations by the Group and the responsible tax authority. Such differences in interpretation may arise for a wide variety of issues depending on the conditions prevailing in the respective domicile of the Group companies.
Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be recovered from or paid to the taxation authorities. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that are enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date in the countries where the Group operates and generates taxable income. The tax rates and tax laws used to compute the amount are those that apply to the relevant taxable income.
Current income tax relating to items recognised directly in equity is recognised in equity and not in the statement of profit or loss. Management periodically evaluates positions taken in the tax
Foreign currency translation
The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates and is normally the currency in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash.
The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar (the "US dollar" or "US\$"). The functional currencies of the Group's subsidiaries are as follows:
| Functional | |
|---|---|
| Company | currency |
| Nostrum Associated Investments LLP | Tenge |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. | US dollar |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas BV | US dollar |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance BV | US dollar |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas Holding Ltd | US dollar |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas UK Ltd. | British Pound |
| Nostrum Services Central Asia LLP | Tenge |
| Nostrum Services N.V. | Euro |
| Zhaikmunai LLP | US dollar |
returns with respect to situations in which applicable tax regulations are subject to interpretation and establishes provisions where appropriate.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated in respect of temporary differences using the liability method. Deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences arising between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their carrying values for financial reporting purposes, except where the deferred income tax arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or of an asset or liability in a transaction that is not a business combination and, at the time of the transaction, affects neither the accounting profit nor taxable profit or loss.
A deferred tax asset is recorded only to the extent that it is probable that taxable profit will be available against which the deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at tax rates that are expected to apply to the period when the asset is realised or the liability is settled, based on tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted at the reporting date.
Deferred income tax is provided on temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries, except where the timing of the reversal of the temporary difference can be controlled and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are offset if a legally enforceable right exists to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and the deferred taxes relate to the same taxable entity and the same taxation authority.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
For more detailed information in current and deferred income tax disclosure as at 31 December 2022 and 2021, please see Note 26.
Kazakhstan's tax legislation and regulations are subject to ongoing changes and varying interpretations. Instances of inconsistent opinions between local, regional and national tax authorities are not unusual. Because of the uncertainties associated with Kazakhstan's tax system, the ultimate amount of taxes, penalties and interest, if any, may be in excess of the amount expensed to date and accrued at 31 December 2022.
The Group is subject to routine tax audits and also a process whereby tax computations are discussed and agreed with the tax authorities. Whilst the ultimate outcome of such tax audits and discussions cannot be determined with certainty, management estimates the level of provisions required for taxes for which it is considered probable will be payable, based on professional advice and consideration of the nature of current discussions with the tax authority.
As at 31 December 2022 management believes that its interpretation of the relevant legislation is appropriate and that it is probable that the Group's tax position will be sustained. To the extent that actual outcomes differ from management's estimates, income tax charges or credits, and changes in current and deferred tax assets or liabilities, may arise in future periods. For more information, see Note 26.
Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded by the Group's subsidiaries at their respective functional currency spot rates at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency spot rates of exchange at the reporting date. All differences are taken to the profit or loss.
Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value is determined.
In the consolidated financial statements, the assets and liabilities of non-US dollar functional currency subsidiaries are translated into US dollars at the spot exchange rate on the balance sheet date. The results and cash flows of non-US dollar functional currency subsidiaries are translated into US dollars using average rates of exchange, and resulting exchange differences are accumulated foreign currency translation reserve within equity, and are reclassified to the profit orloss on the disposal of the subsidiary. In the consolidated financial statements, exchange adjustments arising when the opening net assets and the profits for the year retained by non-US dollar functional currency subsidiaries are translated into US dollars are reported in the other comprehensive income.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
The Group capitalises borrowing costs on qualifying assets. Assets qualifying for borrowing costs capitalisation include all assets under construction that are not being depreciated, depleted, or amortised, provided that work is in progress at that time. Qualifying assets mostly include wells and other operations field infrastructure under construction. Capitalised borrowing costs are calculated by applying the capitalisation rate to the expenditures on qualifying assets. The capitalisation rate is the weighted average of the borrowing costs applicable to the Group's borrowings that are outstanding during the period. All other borrowing costs are recognised in the profit or loss in the period in which they are incurred.
For more detailed information in relation to capitalisation of borrowing costs, please refer to Note 4.
Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation (legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate of the amount of the obligation can be made. Provisions are reviewed by the Group at each reporting date and adjusted to reflect the current best estimate. If it is no longer probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation, the provision is reversed.
The Group classifies as contingent liabilities those possible obligations that arise from past events and whose existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occurrence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the
Advances paid for capital investments/acquisition of non-current assets are qualified as advances for non-current assets regardless of the period of supplies of relevant assets or the supply of work or services to close advances. Advances paid for the purchase of non-current assets are recognised by the Group as non-current assets and are not discounted.
For more detailed information in relation to advances for non-current assets, please refer to Note 6.
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realisable value ("NRV"). Cost of oil, gas condensate and liquefied petroleum gas ("LPG") is determined on the weighted-average method based on the production cost including the relevant expenses on depreciation, depletion and impairment and
control of the enterprise and the present obligations that arise from past events but are not recognised because it is not probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation or the amount of the obligation cannot be measured with sufficient reliability.
The Group does not recognise contingent liabilities but discloses contingent liabilities in Note 29, unless the possibility of an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits is remote.
Provisions and liabilities are recognized in the period when it becomes probable that there will be a future outflow of funds resulting from past
overhead costs based on production volume. Net realisable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less selling expenses.
For more information in relation to the breakdown of inventories as at 31 December 2022 and 2021, please see Note 7.
The Group makes accruals for liabilities related to the underperformance and/or adjustments of work programs under subsoil use agreements (SUA) on a regular basis. When evaluating the adequacy of an accrual, management bases its estimates on the latest work program included in the SUA, and relevant signed supplements and potential future changes in payment terms (including the currency in which these liabilities are to be settled).
Future changes in the work programs may require adjustments to the accrual recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
operations or events and the amount of cash outflow can be reliably estimated. The timing of recognition and quantification of the liability require the application of judgment to existing facts and circumstances, which can be subject to change. The carrying amounts of provisions and liabilities are reviewed regularly and adjusted to take account of changing facts and circumstances.
Significant management judgment is required to evaluate any claims and actions to determine whether a provision relating to a specific litigation should be recognized or revised, or a contingent liability is required to be disclosed, since the outcome of litigation is difficult to predict.
For more detail on provisions and contingencies, please refer to Note 29.
Provision for decommissioning is recognised in full, when the Group has an obligation to dismantle and remove a facility or an item of plant and to restore the site on which it is located, and when a reasonable estimate of that provision can be made.
The Group estimates future dismantlement and site restoration costs for oil and gas properties with reference to the estimates provided from either internal or external engineers after taking into consideration the anticipated method of dismantlement and the extent of site restoration required in accordance with current legislation and industry practice. The amount of the provision is the present value of the estimated expenditures expected to be required to settle the obligation at current year prices discounted at pre-tax rate that reflects current market assessment of the time value of money and the risks specific to liability.
The unwinding of the discount related to the obligation is recorded in finance costs. A corresponding amount equivalent to the provision is also recognised as part of the cost of the related oil and gas properties. This asset is subsequently depreciated as part of the capital costs of the oil and gas properties on a unit-of-production basis.
The Group reviews site restoration provisions at each financial reporting date and adjusts them to reflect current best estimates in accordance with IFRIC 1 Changes in Existing Decommissioning, Restoration and Similar Liabilities.
Changes in the measurement of an existing decommissioning liability that result from changes in the estimated timing or amount of the outflow of resources embodying economic benefits required to settle the obligation, or changes to the discount rate:
Movements in the abandonment and site restoration provision are disclosed in Note 14.
The Group holds provision for the future decommissioning of oil and gas properties and site restoration. The estimation of the future dismantlement and site restoration costs involves use of significant estimates and assumptions by management, specifically for determining the timing of the future cash outflows and discount rate.
Management made its estimates based on the assumption that cash flow will take place at the expected end of the subsoil use rights. Therefore, most decommissioning events are many years in the future and the precise date of wells abandonment and site restoration may change with the relative impact on the cash outflows.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
Management of the Group believes that the longterm US Treasury real yield curve rates adjusted for country risk premium of Kazakhstan provides the best estimates of applicable real discount rate.
Any changes in the expected future costs are reflected in both the provision and the asset.
Moreover, actual decommissioning costs can differ from estimates because of constantly changing decommissioning technologies as well as changes in environmental laws and regulations and public expectations.
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
As a result, there could be significant adjustments to the provisions established which would affect future financial results. For more details on abandonment and site restoration provision please refer to Note 14.
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortised cost and fair value through profit or loss. The Group determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Group's business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient, the Group initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs. Trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Group has applied the practical expedient are measured at the transaction price determined under IFRS 15.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.
The Group's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by regulation or convention in the market place (regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset.
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in four categories:
This category is the most relevant to the Group. The Group measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following conditions are met:
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.
The Group's financial assets at amortised cost include cash, long-term and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables.
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Group's consolidated statement of financial position) when:
neither transferred nor retained substantially all the risks and rewards of the asset, but has transferred control of the asset.
When the Group has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a passthrough arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Group continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Group also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that reflects the rights and obligations that the Group has retained.
The Group recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Group expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.
ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12 months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).
For trade receivables and contract assets, the Group applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Group does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, long-term borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.
All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of long-term borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.
The Group's financial liabilities include trade and other payables, long-term borrowings, and derivative financial instruments.
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial liabilities are classified in two categories:
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative
Cash and cash equivalents in the statement of financial position comprise cash at banks and at hand and short-term deposits with an original maturity of three months or less at inception.
Restricted cash and cash equivalent balances are those which meet the definition of cash and cash equivalents but are not available for use by the Group and therefore is not considered highly liquid – for example, cash set aside to cover decommissioning obligations or as required by the forbearance agreement.
For the purpose of the consolidated statement of cash flows, cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and cash equivalents, as defined above, net of outstanding bank overdrafts.
For more detailed information in relation to cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December 2022 and 2021, please see Note 10.
The Group sells crude oil, gas condensate and LPG under agreements priced by reference to Platt's and/or Argus' index quotations and adjusted for freight, insurance and quality differentials where
financial instruments entered into by the Group that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.
Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the statement of profit or loss.
Financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss are designated at the initial date of recognition, and only if the criteria in IFRS 9 are satisfied. The Group has not designated any financial liability as at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial liabilities at amortised cost (loans and borrowings)
This is the category most relevant to the Group. After initial recognition, interest-bearing borrowings are subsequently measured at amortised cost using the EIR method. Gains and losses are recognised in profit or loss when the liabilities are derecognised as well as through the EIR amortisation process.
Amortised cost is calculated by taking into account any discount or premium on acquisition and fees or costs that are an integral part of the EIR. The EIR amortisation is included as finance costs in the statement of profit or loss.
This category generally applies to interest-bearing borrowings. For more information, refer to Note 13.
applicable. The Group sells gas under agreements at fixed prices.
Revenue from contracts with customers is recognised when control of the goods is transferred to the customer. For sales of crude oil, gas condensate and LPG, this generally occurs when the product is physically transferred into a vessel, pipe, railcar, trucks or other delivery mechanism; for sales of gas, it is when the product is physically transferred into a pipe. The Group's LPG are sales are mostly on advance payment basis, while payment terms for gas, oil and condensate are normally 15-45 days after delivery.
The Group has generally concluded that it is the principal in its revenue arrangements, because it typically controls the goods before transferring them to the customer.
Own equity instruments that are reacquired (treasury shares) are recognised at cost and deducted from equity. No gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss on the purchase, sale, issue or cancellation of the Group's own equity instruments. Any difference between the carrying amount and the consideration, if reissued, is recognised in the share premium. Voting rights related to treasury shares are nullified for the
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of profit or loss.
Financial assets and financial liabilities are offset and the net amount reported in the statement of financial position if, and only if, there is a currently enforceable legal right to offset the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis, or to realise the assets and settle the liabilities simultaneously.
The Group from time to time uses hedging contracts for oil export sales to cover part of its risks associated with oil price fluctuations. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognised at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value.
Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative.
Group and no distributions are accepted in relation to them. Share options exercised during the reporting period can be satisfied with treasury shares.
The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value at the grant date. This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding equity element, which is not remeasured subsequently until the settlement date.
Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option, volatility and distribution yield and making assumptions about them.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 property, plant and equipment comprised the following:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Oil and gas properties | 268,990 | 313,009 |
| Other property, plant and equipment | 7,033 | 7,116 |
| 276,023 | 320,125 |
The category "Oil and gas properties" represents mainly wells, oil and gas treatment facilities, oil transportation and other related assets. The movement of oil and gas properties for the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
| Constructio | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Working | n in | ||
| In thousands of US Dollars Balance at 1 January 2021, net* |
assets 259,974 |
progress 31,415 |
Total 291,389 |
| Additions | 992 | 7,840 | 8,832 |
| Transfers | 7,664 | (6,882) | 782 |
| Disposals | (556) | (5,049) | (5,605) |
| Disposals depreciation | 526 | – | 526 |
| Depreciation and depletion charge |
(55,453) | – | (55,453) |
| Accumulated impairment transfers |
(4,221) | 4,221 | – |
| Impairment charge | 63,118 | 9,420 | 72,538 |
| Balance at 31 December 2021, net* |
272,044 | 40,965 | 313,009 |
| Additions | 8 | 16,544 | 16,552 |
| Transfers | 28,217 | (28,515) | (298) |
| Disposals | (9,220) | (742) | (9,962) |
| Disposals depreciation | 16 | – | 16 |
| Depreciation and depletion charge |
(51,213) | – | (51,213) |
| Impairment transfer | (24,308) | 25,194 | 886 |
| Balance at 31 December 2022, net* |
215,544 | 53,446 | 268,990 |
| As at 31 December 2020 | |||
| Cost | 2,943,678 | 116,823 | 3,060,501 |
| Accumulated depreciation** | (2,683,704) | (85,408) | (2,769,112) |
| Balance* | 259,974 | 31,415 | 291,389 |
| As at 31 December 2021 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | 2,951,778 | 112,732 | 3,064,510 |
| Accumulated depreciation | (2,679,734) | (71,767) | (2,751,501) |
| Balance | 272,044 | 40,965 | 313,009 |
| As at 31 December 2022 | |||
| Cost | 2,970,783 | 100,019 | 3,070,802 |
| Accumulated depreciation** | (2,755,239) | (46,573) | (2,801,812) |
* Balances, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment
** Accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment
The category "Construction in progress" is represented by employee remuneration, materials and fuel used, rig costs, payments made to contractors, and asset retirement obligation fees directly associated with development of wells until the drilling of the well is complete and results have been evaluated.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
The change in the discount rate used to determine the abandonment and site restoration provision (Note 14) in the year ended 31 December 2022 resulted in the decrease of the oil and gas properties by US\$ 9,206 thousand (31 December 2021: an increase of US\$112 thousand).
The Group incurred borrowing costs including amortisation of arrangement fees. Capitalisation rate and capitalised borrowing costs were as follows as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| 31 December | 31 December |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 |
| 106,915 | 103,334 |
| 8.44% | 8.44% |
| 1,504 | 219 |
Other property, plant and equipment
| Machi nery & equip |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars |
Buildings | ment | Vehicles | Others | Total |
| Balance at 1 January 2021 |
1,057 | 1,888 | 40 | 3,386 | 6,371 |
| Additions | – | – | – | 457 | 457 |
| Transfers | 21 | 297 | – | (1,100) | (782) |
| Disposals | (10) | (211) | – | (495) | (716) |
| Disposals depreciation | 8 | 166 | – | 208 | 382 |
| Depreciation | (66) | (49) | (3) | (126) | (244) |
| Impairment reversal | 1,648 | – | – | – | 1,648 |
| Balance at 31 | 2,658 | 2,091 | 37 | 2,330 | 7,116 |
| December 2021 | |||||
| Additions | – | 313 | – | 773 | 1,086 |
| Transfers | 265 | 436 | – | (403) | 298 |
| Disposals | (25) | (188) | (86) | (152) | (451) |
| Disposals depreciation | 26 | 188 | 85 | 132 | 431 |
| Depreciation | (257) | (129) | (3) | (233) | (622) |
| Impairment transfer | (738) | (105) | – | 18 | (825) |
| Balance at 31 December 2022 |
1,929 | 2,606 | 33 | 2,465 | 7,033 |
| As at 31 December | |||||
| 2020 | |||||
| Cost | 49,247 | 21,670 | 1,591 | 18,930 | 91,438 |
| Accumulated depreciation** |
(48,190) | 19,782) | (1,551) | (15,544) | (85,067) |
| Balance* | 1,057 | 1,888 | 40 | 3,386 | 6,371 |
| As at 31 December | |||||
| 2021 | |||||
| Cost | 49,258 | 21,756 | 1,591 | 17,792 | 90,397 |
| Accumulated | (46,763) | (19,611) | (15,363) | (83,281) | |
| depreciation* Balance |
2,495 | 2,145 | (1,544) 47 |
2,429 | 7,116 |
| As at 31 December 2022 |
|||||
| Cost | 49,498 | 22,317 | 1,505 | 18,010 | 91,330 |
| Accumulated | (47,569) | (19,711) | (15,545) | (84,297) | |
| depreciation** | (1,472) | ||||
| Balance* | 1,929 | 2,606 | 33 | 2,465 | 7,033 |
* Balances, net of accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment ** Accumulated depreciation, amortisation and impairment
For the year ended 31 December 2022
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 advances for non-current assets comprised the following:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Advances for construction materials | 1,090 | 1,059 |
| Advances for construction services | 582 | 359 |
| Advances for other non-current assets | 442 | – |
| 2,114 | 1,418 |
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 inventories comprised the following:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Spare parts and other inventories | 26,720 | 26,720 |
| Gas condensate | 1,905 | 4,265 |
| Crude oil | 1,182 | 306 |
| LPG | 335 | 57 |
| Dry gas | 46 | 32 |
| Sulphur | 8 | 7 |
| 30,196 | 31,387 |
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 inventories are carried at cost.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 prepayments and other current assets comprised the following:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Advances paid | 2,959 | 2,370 |
| Other taxes receivable | 761 | 1,668 |
| VAT receivable | 744 | 4,882 |
| Other | 224 | 815 |
| 4,688 | 9,735 |
Advances paid consist primarily of prepayments made to service providers. As at 31 December 2022 the impaired VAT receivable amounted to US\$5,596 thousand and the impaired advances paid amounted to US\$169 thousand (31 December 2021: impaired advances paid: US\$41 thousand).
There were no other movements in the provision for impairment of advances paid during the year ended 31 December 2022 and the year ended 31 December 2021.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 trade receivables were not interest-bearing and were mainly denominated in US dollars and Tenge. Their average collection period is not more than 45 days.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 there were past due but not impaired trade receivables. Based on the assessments made, the Group concluded that no provision for expected credit losses should be recognized as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 cash and cash equivalents comprised the following:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Current accounts in US Dollars | 217,026 | 157,981 |
| Current accounts in Tenge | 13,827 | 5,736 |
| Current accounts in Euro | 1,824 | 1,020 |
| Current accounts in other currencies | 901 | 500 |
| Petty cash | 6 | 9 |
| 233,584 | 165,246 |
In addition to the cash and cash equivalents in the table above, as at 31 December 2022 the Group had restricted cash accounts as a liquidation fund deposit of US\$8,220 thousand with Halyk bank (31 December 2021: US\$47 thousand with Sberbank in Kazakhstan and US\$7,719 thousand with Halyk bank), which are kept as required by the subsoil use rightsfor abandonment and site restoration liabilities of the Group.
The Group transferred funds to a secured cash account opened for the benefit of the holders of the Group's Notes under the terms of the FBAs (Note 1). As at 31 December 2022 the balance of the secured cash account was US\$22,802 thousand (31 December 2021: US\$22,672 thousand). The Company has the ability to make certain withdrawals from the account if its liquidity falls below an agreed level.
As at 31 December 2022 the ownership interests in the Parent consists of 188,182,958 issued and fully paid ordinary shares, which are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The ordinary shares have a nominal value of GBP 0.01. There were no movements in the number of shares during the year ended 31 December 2022 and year ended 31 December 2021 and comprised of the following:
| Number of shares | |
|---|---|
| In circulation | 185,234,079 |
| Treasury capital | 2,948,879 |
| 188,182,958 |
Treasury shares were issued to support the Group's obligations to employees under the Employee Share Option Plan ("ESOP") and the Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and are held by Intertrust Employee Benefit Trustee Limited as trustee for the Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust. In the case of the ESOP, upon request from employees to exercise options, the trustee would sell shares on the market and settle respective obligations under the ESOP. In the case of share-settled LTIP awards, the trustee would transfer shares to the relevant LTIP award holder (although no LTIP awards are currently exercisable). The Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust constitutes a special purpose entity under IFRS and therefore, the shares held in the trust are recorded as treasury capital of the Company.
| In thousands of US Dollars | Group reorgani sation reserve |
Foreign currency translatio n reserves |
Share option reserves |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 1 January 2021 | 255,459 | 3,305 | 4,071 | 262,835 |
| Currency translation difference | – | (203) | – | (203) |
| Share based payments under LTIP |
– | – | (247) | (247) |
| As at 31 December 2021 | 255,459 | 3,102 | 3,824 | 262,385 |
| Currency translation difference | – | (490) | – | (490) |
| Share based payments under LTIP |
– | – | (38) | (38) |
| As at 31 December 2022 | 255,459 | 2,612 | 3,786 | 261,857 |
Group reorganisation reserve in the amount of US\$255,459 thousand represents the difference between the partnership capital, treasury capital and additional paid-in capital of Nostrum Oil & Gas LP and the share capital of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, that arose during the reorganisation of the Group in 2014. Share-option reserves include amounts related to sale of treasury shares under ESOP as well as share-based payments under LTIP.
There were no distributions made during the year ended 31 December 2022 and year ended 31 December 2021.
18 April 2014) a requirement for disclosure of "the book value per share" (total assets less intangible assets, total liabilities and preferred stock divided by the number of outstanding shares as at the reporting date). As at 31 December 2022 the book value per share amounted to US\$4.76 negative (31 December 2021: US\$4.44 negative).
As at 31 December 2022 the ownership interests in the Parent consists of 188,182,958 issued and fully paid ordinary shares, which are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The ordinary shares have a nominal value of GB£0.01. For the purpose of calculations of earnings per share the number of shares has been adjusted as required under IAS 33.64 for the effect of the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 (Note 31).
| For the year ended 31 December |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | ||
| Loss for the period attributable to the | (116,445) | (26,118) | |
| shareholders (in thousands of US dollars) | |||
| Weighted average number of shares | 169,086,713 | 169,086,713 | |
| Basic and diluted earnings per share (in US | (0.69) | (0.15) | |
| dollars) |
Notes payable and accumulated interest are comprised of the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Notes issued in 2017 and maturing in 2022 |
725,000 | 720,655 |
| Notes issued in 2018 and maturing in 2025 |
396,320 | 395,022 |
| Accrued interest | 275,197 | 173,926 |
| 1,396,517 | 1,289,603 | |
| Less amounts due within 12 months | (1,396,517) | (1,289,603) |
| – | – |
On 25 July 2017, a newly incorporated entity, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (the "2022 Issuer") issued US\$725,000 thousand notes with maturity on 25 July 2022. The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per year, payable on 25 January and 25 July of each year.
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
The 2022 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the "2022 Guarantees") on a senior basis by Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A., Zhaikmunai LLP and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. (the "2022 Guarantors"). The 2022 Notes are the 2022 Issuer's and the 2022 Guarantors' senior obligations and rank equally with all of the 2022 Issuer's and the 2022 Guarantors' other senior indebtedness.
The issue of the 2022 Notes was used primarily to fund the refinancing of part of the Group's Notes issued in 2012 and 2014.
On 16 February 2018, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (the "2025 Issuer") issued US\$400,000 thousand notes with maturity on 16 February 2025. The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year, payable on 16 August and 16 February of each year.
The 2025 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the "2025 Guarantees") on a senior basis by Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A., Zhaikmunai LLP and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. (the "2025 Guarantors"). The 2025 Notes are the 2025 Issuer's and the 2025 Guarantors' senior obligations and rank equally with all of the 2025 Issuer's and the 2025 Guarantors' other senior indebtedness.
The issue of the 2025 Notes was used primarily to fund the refinancing of the remaining Group's Notes issued in 2012 and 2014.
The Group has not made coupon payments due under the Existing Notes since July 2020, which was an event of default under the terms of the indentures governing 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes. Considering these facts and circumstances, starting from Q3 2020 the Group reclassified the carrying amounts of the 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes into current liabilities and since then has been presenting them as the current portion of long-term borrowings in the statement of financial position.
The Company continued active discussions with the financial and legal advisers to the AHG and signed the FBAs, which prohibited the AHG from exercising certain rights and remedies under the Existing Note indentures. In December 2021 the Group entered into the First LUA and agreed terms of a restructuring with noteholders. More detailed information related to the restructuring scheme is disclosed in the Note 1.
The 2022 and the 2025 Notes contain consistent covenants that, among other things, restrict, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications, the ability of the 2022 Issuer, the 2025 Issuer, the 2022 Guarantors, the 2025 Guarantors and certain other members of the Group to:
In addition, the indentures impose certain requirements as to future subsidiary guarantors, and certain customary information covenants and events of default.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
| In thousands of US Dollars | 1 January | Cash outflows |
Borrowing costs including amortisation of arrangement fees |
Finance charges under leases |
Modification and termination of leases |
Reclassificati on from non current to current |
31 December |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | |||||||
| Notes payable and accumulated interest | 1,289,603 | – | 106,914 | – | – | – | 1,396,517 |
| 2021 | |||||||
| Notes payable and accumulated interest | 1,186,269 | – | 103,334 | – | – | – | 1,289,603 |
| Long-term lease liabilities | 35 | – | – | – | – | (35) | – |
| Current portion of lease liability | 2,790 | (1,732) | – | 157 | (1,250) | 35 | – |
The summary of changes in abandonment and site restoration provision during years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 is as follows:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Provision as at 1 January | 29,008 | 28,936 |
| Unwinding of discount | 271 | 276 |
| Additional provision | – | 85 |
| Provision disposed | – | (401) |
| Change in estimates | (9,206) | 112 |
| Provision as at 31 December | 20,073 | 29,008 |
Management made its estimate based on the assumption that cash flow will take place at the expected end of the subsoil use rights in 2032. There are uncertainties in estimation of future costs as Kazakh laws and regulations concerning site restoration evolve.
The real discount rate used to determine the abandonment and site restoration provision at 31 December 2022 was 4.87% (31 December 2021: 0.92%).
The change in the discount rate during the year ended 31 December 2022 resulted in the decrease of the abandonment and site restoration provision by US\$9.206 thousand (31 December 2021: US\$112 thousand).
The amount due to Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan has been recorded to reflect the present value of a liability in relation to the expenditures made by the Government in the time period prior to signing the Contract that were related to exploration of the Contract territory and the construction of surface facilities in fields discovered therein and that are reimbursable by the Group to the Government during the production period. The total amount of liability due to Government as stipulated by the Contract is US\$ 25,000 thousand.
Repayment of this liability commenced in 2008 with the first payment of US\$1,030 thousand in March 2008 and with further payments by equal quarterly instalments of US\$258 thousand until 26 May 2031. The liability was discounted at 13%.
The summary of the changes in the amounts due to Government of Kazakhstan during the years ended 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 is as follows:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as at 1 January | 5,594 | 5,863 |
| Unwinding of discount | 470 | 762 |
| Paid during the year | (1,031) | (1,031) |
| Balanсe as at 31 December | 5,033 | 5,594 |
| Less: current portion | (1,031) | (1,031) |
| Non-current portion | 4,002 | 4,563 |
Trade payables comprise the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Tenge denominated trade payables | 6,942 | 5,433 |
| US Dollar denominated trade payables | 1,543 | 1,397 |
| Euro denominated trade payables | 1,160 | 464 |
| Russian Rouble denominated trade | 141 | 122 |
| payables | ||
| Trade payables denominated in other | 143 | 983 |
| currencies | ||
| 9,929 | 8,399 |
Other current liabilities comprise the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Other accruals | 23,481 | 3,318 |
| Taxes payable, including corporate | 15,437 | 6,709 |
| income tax | ||
| Training obligations accrual | 6,441 | 8,684 |
| Due to employees | 2,724 | 2,479 |
| Other current liabilities | 757 | 686 |
| 48,840 | 21,876 |
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Revenue from oil and gas condensate sales |
158,107 | 150,290 |
| Revenue from gas and LPG sales | 41,578 | 44,978 |
| Revenue from sulphur sales | 32 | 17 |
| 199,717 | 195,285 |
The pricing for all of the Group's crude oil, condensate and LPG is, directly or indirectly, related to the price of Brent crude oil. The average Brent crude oil price the year ended 31 December 2022 was US\$99.0/bbl (year ended 31 December 2021: US\$71.0/bbl).
The operations of the Group are located in only one geographic location, Kazakhstan.
During the year ended 31 December 2022 the revenue from sales to three major customers amounted to US\$151,302 thousand, US\$15,707 thousand and US\$6,805 thousand respectively (year ended 31 December 2021: US\$143,054 thousand, US\$18,207 thousand and US\$8,704 thousand respectively). The Group's exports were mainly represented by deliveries to the Baltic ports of Russia.
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Depreciation, depletion and amortisation |
51,682 | 55,569 |
| Payroll and related taxes | 14,179 | 14,603 |
| Repair, maintenance and other services | 6,662 | 6,610 |
| Materials and supplies | 4,333 | 4,561 |
| Well repair and maintenance costs | 3,122 | 2,726 |
| Transportation services | 2,285 | 2,559 |
| Change in stock | 1,191 | 403 |
| Environmental levies | 79 | 201 |
| Other | 520 | 617 |
| 84,053 | 87,849 |
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payroll and related taxes | 6,634 | 6,123 |
| Professional services | 3,556 | 4,113 |
| Insurance fees | 577 | 601 |
| Business travel | 282 | 204 |
| Materials and supplies | 182 | 144 |
| Communication | 180 | 182 |
| Short-term leases | 172 | 290 |
| Depreciation and amortisation | 153 | 170 |
| Bank charges | 47 | 71 |
| Other | 293 | 226 |
| 12,076 | 12,124 |
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Transportation costs | 8,473 | 9,545 |
| Loading and storage costs | 8,094 | 6,869 |
| Marketing services | – | 2,167 |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | – | 1,556 |
| Payroll and related taxes | 1,375 | 1,520 |
| Other | 2,008 | 1,409 |
| 19,950 | 23,066 |
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Export customs duty | 10,014 | 7,655 |
| Royalties | 8,116 | 7,786 |
| Government profit share | 1,692 | 1,628 |
| Other taxes | 8 | 14 |
| 19,830 | 17,083 |
Export customs duty is comprised of customs duties for export of crude oil and customs fees for services such as processing of declarations and temporary warehousing.
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Interest expense on borrowings | 105,411 | 103,115 |
| Other finance costs | 16,986 | 12,386 |
| Unwinding of discount on amounts due to Government of Kazakhstan |
470 | 762 |
| Unwinding of discount on lease liability |
– | 157 |
| Unwinding of discount on abandonment and site restoration provision |
271 | 276 |
| 123,138 | 116,696 |
Other finance costs mainly represent advisor fees in the amount of US\$16,875 thousand (year ended 31 December 2021: US\$2,941 thousands of bondholder consent fees and US\$5,875 thousand advisor fees) incurred by the Group in relation to the FBAs, Lock-up Agreement and process of restructuring of the Group's outstanding bonds. For more details on the restructuring see Note 1.
Until the Existing Notes are successfully restructured, the Group will continue to accrue interest on the Existing Notes.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
The average monthly number of employees (including Executive Directors) employed was as follows:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Management and administrative | 137 | 136 |
| Technical and operational | 417 | 405 |
| 554 | 541 |
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Wages and salaries | 19,057 | 18,740 |
| Social security costs | 3,393 | 3,563 |
| Share-based payments | (38) | (247) |
| 22,412 | 22,056 |
The amount ultimately remaining in the income statement was US\$22,150 thousand (2021: US\$21,199 thousand).
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Short-term employee benefits | 4,033 | 4,042 |
| Share-based payments | – | – |
| 4,033 | 4,042 |
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Short-term employee benefits | 1,960 | 1,877 |
| Share-based payments | – | – |
| 1,960 | 1,877 |
As at 31 December 2022 the amount payable to key management personnel was US\$611 thousand (31 December 2021: US\$307 thousand).
The Group's Phantom Option Plan was adopted by the board of directors of the Company on 20 June 2014 to allow for the continuation of the option plan previously maintained by Nostrum Oil & Gas LP. The rights and obligations in relation to this option plan were transferred to Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC from Nostrum Oil & Gas LP following the reorganisation.
Employees (including senior executives and executive directors) of members of the Group received remuneration in the form of equity-based payment transactions, whereby employees render services as consideration for share appreciation rights, which can only be settled in cash ("cash-settled transactions").
In 2017 the Group started operating a Long-term incentive plan ("the LTIP"), that was approved by the shareholders of the Company on 26 June 2017 and adopted by the board of directors of the Company on 24 August 2017. The LTIP is a discretionary benefit offered by the Company for the benefit of selected employees. Its main purpose is to increase the interest of the employees in the Company's long-term business goals and performance through share ownership. The LTIP is an incentive for the employees' future performance and commitment to the goals of the Company. The remuneration committee of the board of the Company has the right to decide, in its sole discretion, whether or not further awards will be granted in the future and to which employees those awards will be granted.
Employees (including senior executives and executive directors) of members of the Group may receive an award, which is a "nominal cost option" over a specified number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. The option has an exercise price of 1p per share (but the Company has the discretion to waive this prior to exercise). In addition, under the Rules of the LTIP the Company has discretion to settle awards other than by transfer of shares such as by way of cash settlement. Generally, the awards are classified as equitysettled transactions. The share options are treated as equity-settled since there are no legal limitations expected on issue of shares for these upon vesting, the Group has a choice of settlement and the intention is to settle them in equity. However, in certain jurisdictions due to regulatory requirements the Company may not be able to settle the awards other than by transfer of cash, in which case the awards are classified as cash-settled transactions, and accounted for similar to SARs.
For the year ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 other income comprise the following:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Reversals of training accruals | 2,214 | 1,490 |
| Reversals of other accruals | 3,561 | 1,244 |
| Currency conversion | 360 | 78 |
| Catering and accommodation | 212 | – |
| Compensation for damages | – | 1,549 |
| Disposal of exploration assets | – | 749 |
| Insurance compensation | – | 162 |
| Other | 459 | 614 |
| 6,806 | 5,886 |
For the year ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 other expenses comprise the following:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Other taxes and penalties | 27,149 | 2,613 |
| Sponsorship | 903 | 26 |
| Currency conversion | 581 | 135 |
| Training accruals | 428 | 505 |
| Social program | 311 | 312 |
| Write-off of new development costs | – | 9,055 |
| Other | 449 | 572 |
| 29,821 | 13,218 |
Other taxes and penalties mainly include additional taxes and penalties assessed in relation to prior periods considering new information, which was not available at the time of preparation of respective financial information, and relevant interpretations by the management.
| 26. Income tax | ||
|---|---|---|
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Deferred income tax expense | 15,827 | 30,279 |
| Withholding tax | 560 | 58 |
| Corporate income tax expense | 5,777 | 751 |
| Adjustment in respect of the current | 12,500 | 632 |
| income tax for the prior periods | ||
| 34,664 | 31,720 |
The Group's profits are assessed for income taxes mainly in the Republic of Kazakhstan. A reconciliation between tax expense and the product of accounting profit multiplied by the Kazakhstani tax rate applicable to the Chinarevskoye subsoil use rights is as follows:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Loss before income tax | (81,781) | 5,602 |
| Tax rate applicable to the subsoil use rights | 30% | 30% |
| Expected tax provision | (24,534) | 1,681 |
| Non-deductible interest expense on | 32,488 | 24,782 |
| borrowings and other financial expenses | ||
| Non-deductible taxes and penalties | 7,842 | 784 |
| Effect of exchange rate on the tax base | 4,581 | 2,630 |
| Adjustments in respect of current income | 12,500 | 632 |
| tax of previous years | ||
| Effect of loss / (income) taxed at different rate¹ |
– | 1,529 |
| Recognition of previously unrecognised deferred tax |
– | (1,312) |
| Net foreign exchange gain | (76) | 95 |
| Reversal of training provisions | (536) | (296) |
| Non-deductible loss on disposal of PPE | – | (225) |
| Non-deductible marketing expenses | – | 651 |
| Non-deductible unwinding of discount | 222 | 311 |
| Other non-deductible expenses | 2,177 | 458 |
| Income tax expense | 34,664 | 31,720 |
1 Jurisdictions which contribute significantly to this item are Republic of Kazakhstan with an applicable statutory tax rate of 20% (for activities not related to the Contract), and the Netherlands with an applicable statutory tax rate of 25%.
Certain revisions to previous period tax assessments were made considering new information, which was not available at the time of preparation of respective financial information, and relevant interpretations by the management. During 2022 the tax authorities in Kazakhstan carried out a comprehensive tax audit of Zhaikmunai LLP for the financial years 2016-2021, as a result of which additional corporate income tax in a principal amount equivalent to US\$12,500 thousand has been assessed for the periods covered.
In management's view, as at 31 December 2022 there were no other significant uncertain tax positions requiring disclosure in accordance with IFRIC 23 – Uncertainty over Income Tax Treatments.
The Group's effective tax rate for the year ended 31 December 2022 is negative 42.4% (2021: 566.2%). The Group's effective tax rate, excluding effect of movements in exchange rates and non-deductible interest expense on borrowings, for the year ended 31 December 2021 is 2.9% (2021: 76.9%).
As at 31 December 2022 the Group has tax losses of US\$122,111 thousand (2021: US\$113,371 thousand) that are available to offset against future taxable profits in the companies in which the losses arose within 9 years after generation and will expire in the period 2023-2029. On 21 May 2021, a Royal Decree was issued in the Netherlands, which dictates that the tax losses can now be carried forward indefinitely from 1 January 2022, subject to annual limit on carry back loss utilization. Deferred tax assets have not been recognised in respect of these losses as they may not be used to offset taxable profits elsewhere in the Group.
Deferred tax liability is calculated by applying the Kazakhstani statutory tax rate applicable to the Chinarevskoye subsoil use rights to the temporary differences between the tax amounts and the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and are comprised of the following:
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
| In thousands of US Dollars | 31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred tax asset | ||
| Accounts payable and provisions | 2,877 | 4,189 |
| Deferred tax liability | ||
| Property, plant and equipment | (49,763) | (33,630) |
| Inventories | (3,131) | (3,183) |
| Long-term borrowings | 118 | (1,448) |
| Net deferred tax liability | (49,899) | (34,072) |
The movements in the deferred tax liability were as follows:
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Balance as at 1 January | 34,072 | 3,793 |
| Current period charge to statement of comprehensive income |
15,827 | 30,279 |
| Balance as at 31 December | 49,899 | 34,072 |
For the purpose of these consolidated financial statements transactions with related parties mainly comprise transactions between subsidiaries of the Company and the key management.
Remuneration (represented by short-term employee benefits) of key management personnel amounted to US\$2,665 thousand for the year ended 31 December 2022 (year ended 31 December 2021: US\$2,875 thousand).
During the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 audit and non-audit fees comprise the following:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Audit services: | ||
| Ernst & Young | 561 | 1,009 |
| MHA & Baker Tilly International | 627 | – |
| Total audit services | 1,188 | 1,009 |
| Services relating to corporate finance transactions: |
||
| Ernst & Young | 161 | 239 |
| Total non-audit services | 161 | 239 |
| 1,349 | 1,248 |
The audit fees for the year ended 31 December 2022 in the table above include the audit fees of US\$10 thousand in relation to the Parent (2021: US\$10 thousand).
The audit fees for the year ended 31 December 2022 include fees related to the audit of the 2021 financial statements in the amount of US\$300 thousand, which mostly represent audit overruns in the amount of US\$ 186 thousand and the fees for the forensic scope of US\$ 108 thousand (2021: US\$92 thousand related to audit of 2020 financial statements).
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Kazakhstan's tax legislation and regulations are subject to ongoing changes and varying interpretations. Instances of inconsistent opinions between local, regional and national tax authorities are not unusual. The current regime of penalties and interest related to reported and discovered violations of Kazakhstan's tax laws are severe and where the tax authorities disagree with the positions taken by the Group the financial outcomes could be material. Administrative fines are generally 80% of the taxes additionally assessed and interest penalty is assessed at the refinancing rate established by the National Bank of Kazakhstan multiplied by 1.25. As a result, penalties and interest can amount to multiples of any assessed taxes. Fiscal periods remain open to review by tax authorities for five calendar years preceding the year of review. Under certain circumstances reviews may cover longer periods. Because of the uncertainties associated with Kazakhstan's tax system, the ultimate amount of taxes, penalties and interest, if any, may be in excess of the amount expensed to date and accrued at 31 December 2022. As at 31 December 2022 management believes that its interpretation of the relevant legislation is appropriate and that it is probable that the Group's tax position will be sustained.
As Kazakh laws and regulations concerning site restoration and clean-up evolve, the Group may incur future costs, the amount of which is currently indeterminable. Such costs, when known, will be provided for as new information, legislation and estimates evolve.
The Group may also be subject to loss contingencies relating to regional environmental claims that may arise from the past operations of the related fields in which it operates. Kazakhstan's environmental legislation and regulations are subject to ongoing changes and varying interpretations. As Kazakh laws and regulations evolve concerning environmental assessments and site restoration, the Group may incur future costs, the amount of which is currently indeterminable due to such factors as the ultimate determination of responsible parties associated with these costs and the Government's assessment of respective parties' ability to pay for the costs related to environmental reclamation.
However, depending on any unfavourable court decisions with respect to any claims or penalties assessed by the Kazakh regulatory agencies, it is possible that the Group's future results of operations or cash flow could be materially affected in a particular period.
As at 31 December 2022, the Group had contractual capital commitments in the amount of US\$ 2,845 thousand (31 December 2021: US\$10,029 thousand), mainly in respect to the Group's oil field development activities.
As required by the Contract (after its amendment on 2 September 2019), the Group is obliged to:
In accordance with Supplement # 7 to the Contract, Zhaikmunai LLP is required to deliver at least 15% of produced oil to the domestic market on a monthly basis for which prices are materially lower than export prices.
The recent Russia-Ukraine conflict has led to widespread sanctions being imposed on various Russian institutions and individuals. Bodies and nations imposing sanctions today include the US, UK and EU and these sanctions have been sequentially expanding. Given the geographical position of the Group's main operating company, it is very close to the evolving situation in Ukraine. Whilst Kazakhstan is not directly involved in the ongoing conflict, nor have any Western sanctions impacted upon on it, the country is connected to Russia through infrastructure, banking, and other business links. The Group contracts with a limited number of Russian service companies. For example, during 2022 the price of Urals traded with a higher discount relative to Brent due to sanctions. During the spring and summer of 2022, the discount reached \$40 per barrel and then declined to \$18-20 per barrel as compared to \$3 per barrel average in 2021. In addition, certain operational matters have been impacted by sanctions, such as the work underway on GTU3 and the extension of the Company's gas lift facilities. Nostrum has considered and analysed alternative export routes where export prices are not linked to Urals quotation for oil and gas condensate supplies and is making all necessary efforts to address the widening Urals spread.
The Group's principal financial liabilities comprise borrowings, payables to the Government of Kazakhstan, trade payables and other current liabilities. The main purpose of these financial liabilities is to finance the Group's operations. The Group's financial assets consist of trade and other receivables and cash and cash equivalents that derive directly from its operations.
The Group is exposed to commodity price risk, foreign currency risk, liquidity risk and credit risk. The Group's senior management oversees the management of these risks. The Group's senior management ensures that the Group's financial risk activities are governed by appropriate policies and procedures and that financial risks are identified, measured and managed in accordance with the Group's policies and risk objectives. The Board of Directors reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarised below.
Management has considered how the Group's identified climate risks and climate related goals (as discussed in Climate Change and GHG Emissions in the Group's 2022 Annual Report) may impact the estimation of the recoverable value of cash-generating unit tested for impairment. The anticipated extent and nature of the future impact of climate on the Group's operations and future investment depends on the development of new technologies and production processes employed and the level of emissions, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy. The sensitivity of the Group's impairment assessment to these factors is also impacted by the extent that estimated recoverable value exceeds the carrying value of an individual cash-generating unit – where this is lower there is an increased risk of a future impact. The Group is in the process of identifying a range of actions and initiatives to progress towards the Group's goals, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, wastewater discharges and increase of waste utilisation. In certain cases, the costs of such actions have been quantified and are included in the Group's forecasts which are used to estimate recoverable value for the Group's cash-generating unit. Other actions and initiatives continue to be explored by the Group but are not sufficiently certain to be reflected in the Group's forecasts of estimated recoverable value.
The Group is exposed to the effect of fluctuations in price of crude oil, which is quoted in US dollar on the international markets. The Group prepares annual budgets and periodic forecasts including sensitivity analyses in respect of various levels of crude oil prices in the future.
The Group is not exposed to interest rate risk in 2022 and 2021 as the Group had no financial instruments with floating rates as at years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.
As a significant portion of the Group's operation is Tenge denominated, the Group's statement of financial position can be affected by movements in the US dollar / Tenge exchange rates. The Group mitigates the effect of its structural currency exposure by borrowing in US dollars and denominating sales in US dollars.
The following table demonstrates the sensitivity to a reasonably possible change in the US dollar exchange rate, with all other variables held constant. A devaluation of Tenge against US dollar by 21% would lead to decrease in the net Tenge liability position by US\$8,355 thousand as of 31 December 2022 and respective reduction of the loss before income tax for the year ended 31 December 2022. The impact on equity is the same as the impact on profit before tax.
| Change in Tenge to US | Effect on profit before tax (In | |
|---|---|---|
| dollar exchange rate | thousands of US Dollars) | |
| 2022 | 21% | 5,455 |
| (21%) | (8,355) | |
| 2021 | 13% | 1,085 |
| (10%) | (1,048) |
The Group's foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities were as follows:
| In thousands of US Dollars | Tenge | Russian Roubles |
Euro | Other | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 31 December 2022 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 13,827 | – | 1,824 | 907 | 16,558 |
| Trade receivables | 1,997 | – | – | – | 1,997 |
| Trade payables | (6,942) | (141) | (1,160) | (143) | (8,386) |
| Other current liabilities | (40,312) | – | (1,476) | (63) | (41,851) |
| (31,430) | (141) | (812) | 701 | (31,682) | |
| As at 31 December 2021 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 5,745 | – | 1,020 | 500 | 7,265 |
| Trade receivables | 1,531 | – | – | – | 1,531 |
| Trade payables | (5,433) | (122) | (464) | (983) | (7,002) |
| Other current liabilities | (11,273) | – | (299) | (105) | (11,677) |
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will encounter difficulty in raising funds to meet commitments associated with its financial liabilities. The Group monitors its risk to a shortage of funds using a liquidity planning tool. The tool allows selecting severe stress test scenarios. To ensure an adequate level of liquidity a minimum cash balance has been defined as a cushion of liquid assets. The Group's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of notes, export financing and leases.
The Group's total outstanding debt consists of two notes: US\$725 million issued in 2017 and maturing in 2022 and US\$400 million issued in 2018 and maturing in 2025. Based on the successful restructuring of the Notes, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will continue in operation and meet its restructured liabilities as they fall due through the three-year viability assessment period ending 31 December 2025. For more information on analysis of the Group's ability to meet its liabilities on repayment of the Notes please see "Viability statement" section on the Annual report on pages 45-46.
The table below summarizes the maturity profile of the Group's financial liabilities at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 based on contractual undiscounted payments:
Notes to the consolidated financial statements (continued)
Consolidated financial statements For the year ended 31 December 2022
| In thousands of US Dollars |
On demand |
Less than 3 months |
3-12 months |
1-5 years |
More than 5 years |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| As at 31 December 2022 |
||||||
| Borrowings | 1,400,197 | 43,000 | 43,000 | – | – | 1,486,197 |
| Trade payables | 9,525 | – | 404 | – | – | 9,929 |
| Other current liabilities |
10,824 | – | – | – | – | 10,824 |
| Due to Government of Kazakhstan |
– | 258 | 773 | 4,124 | 3,350 | 8,505 |
| 1,420,546 | 43,258 | 44,177 | 4,124 | 3,350 | 1,515,455 | |
| As at 31 December 2021 |
||||||
| Borrowings | 1,298,926 | 43,000 | 43,000 | – | – | 1,384,926 |
| Trade payables | 7,853 | – | 546 | – | – | 8,399 |
| Other current liabilities |
14,636 | – | – | – | – | 14,636 |
| Due to Government of Kazakhstan |
– | 258 | 773 | 4,124 | 4,381 | 9,536 |
| 1,321,415 | 43,258 | 44,319 | 4,124 | 4,381 | 1,417,497 |
Credit risk is the risk that a counterparty will not meet its obligations under a financial instrument or customer contract, leading to a financial loss. The Group is exposed to credit risk from its operating activities (primarily trade receivables) and from its financing activities, including deposits with banks and financial institutions and foreign exchange transactions.
The Group places its cash and deposits primarily with Citibank, N.A., and Halyk bank JSC with most recent credit ratings from Moody's rating agency of Aa3 (Stable), and Baa2 (Stable), respectively.
The Group sells its products and makes advance payments only to recognised, creditworthy third parties. In addition, receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis with the result that the Group's exposure to bad debts and recoverability of prepayments made is not significant and thus risk of credit default is low. Also, the Group's policy is to mitigate the payment risk on its offtakers by requiring all purchases to be prepaid or secured by a letter of credit from an international bank.
The Group considers a financial asset in default when contractual payments are 90 days past due, however certain exceptions can be made depending on the particular circumstances and discussions with the counterparty. Also, in certain cases, the Group may also consider a financial asset to be in default when internal or external information indicates that the Group is unlikely to receive the outstanding contractual amounts in full before taking into account any credit enhancements held by the Group. A financial asset is written off when there is no reasonable expectation of recovering the contractual cash flows.
An impairment analysis is performed at each reporting date on an individual basis for major clients. The maximum exposure to credit risk at the reporting date is the carrying value of each class of financial assets. The Group does not hold collateral as security. The Group evaluates the concentration of risk with respect to trade receivables as low, as its customers are located in several jurisdictions and industries and operate in largely independent markets.
For the year ended 31 December 2022
Management assessed that the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables and other current liabilities approximate their carrying amounts at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021.
Set out below, is a comparison by class of the carrying amounts and fair value of the Group's financial instruments, other than those with carrying amounts reasonably approximating their fair values:
| Carrying amount | Fair value | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars |
31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|
| Interest bearing borrowings |
1,396,517 | 1,289,603 | 272,500 | 303,375 | |
| Total | 1,396,517 | 1,289,603 | 272,500 | 303,375 |
The fair value of the financial assets and liabilities represents the amount at which the instruments could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale. Fair value of the quoted notes is based on price quotations at the reporting date and respectively categorised as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy.
During the year ended 31 December 2022 and year ended 31 December 2021 there were no transfers between the levels of fair value hierarchy of the Group's financial instruments.
End of Document
For the purpose of the Group's capital management, capital includes issued capital, additional paid-in capital and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the parent. The primary objective of the Group's capital management is to maximise the shareholder value.
Since the engagement with the AHG in discussions on potential restructuring of the Notes and signing of the FBAs in 2020 (see Note 1), the Group's focus was on maintaining short-term liquidity and preserving cash. Successful cost optimisation programme, favourable hydrocarbon pricing and forbearance of making interest payments during 2020 and 2021 enabled the Group to grow its unrestricted cash balances to the level of US\$234,251 thousand as at 31 December 2022. After successful implementation of the restructuring, the Group intends to revise and evolve its capital management policy in line with new requirements and shareholder expectations.
On 9 February 2023 the Group notified that the Restructuring was implemented pursuant to the terms of the Scheme sanctioned by the Court on 26 August 2022.
The terms of the Restructuring included the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital of the Company following the issue of the new shares on 9 February 2023. This sub-division and share consolidation occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 and resulted in the number of Ordinary Shares on issue being reduced from approximately 1,693.8 million Ordinary Shares (following the issue of the new shares ) to approximately 169.4 million Ordinary Shares on the basis of a 10:1 consolidation of ordinary shares. Accordingly, on 10 February 2023, 150,563,304 new Ordinary Shares have been admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NOG.L". The Company's ordinary shares (including the New Shares) were also admitted to listing and trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) on 13 February 2023. The new warrants were not admitted to listing and trading on the AIX. The New Notes and the New Warrants were also admitted to listing and trading on The International Stock Exchange (TISE) with effect from 9 February 2023. No new securities were listed on the Euronext Dublin.
As a result of implementation of the restructuring a portion of the Group's Notes were exchanged for US\$250 million of SSNs and US\$345 million of SUNs, while remainder of the Existing Notes together with accrued but unpaid interest were converted into fully paid ordinary shares (the "New Shares"), resulting in the Noteholders holding 88.89% of the Enlarged Share Capital of the Company. In addition, the New Warrants were issued to be held by the Warrant Trustee on behalf of the holders of the SUNs from time to time, exercisable in full by a majority of such holders upon the occurrence of certain events to increase their holding of the Company's Enlarged Share Capital to 90.00%, and certain new governance and cashflow arrangements, as described in more detail in the Annual Report and other publications of the Company.
Pursuant to the terms of the Restructuring the interest accrued on the SSNs and the SUNs from 1 January 2022. Accordingly, cash interest accrued to 9 February 2023 in the amount of US\$17.5 million was paid to the Noteholders upon the issuance of the SSNs and the SUNs. The next semi-annual cash interest payment is scheduled for 30 June 2023. Also, as part of the Restructuring completion the amounts held in escrow account as required under FBA, were released and at the same time amounts required for next two cash coupon payments were transferred to Debt Service Retention Account (DSRA).
On 10 March 2023, the Company announced that it is has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLC ("Positive Invest"), which holds the subsoil use right to the contract No. 25 for estimation, development and production of hydrocarbons for the area "Kamenskoe" and the development area "Kamensko-Teplovsko-Tokarevskoe" (the "Stepnoy Leopard Fields") in the West Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 3 March 1995 for US\$20 million (less a modest amount of debt owed to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A).
The Proposed Acquisition will enable Nostrum to tie-in further resources in the region that can be processed at the Company's gas treatment facilities. An affiliate of the Company shall be appointed as the operator of the Positive Invest Contract.
| In thousands of US Dollars | Notes | 31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assets | |||
| Non-current assets | |||
| Property, plant and equipment | 3 | 2 | |
| 3 | 2 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Prepayments and other current assets | 167 | 489 | |
| Receivables from related parties | 6 | 955 | 1,000 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 7 | 901 | 549 |
| 2,023 | 2,038 | ||
| TOTAL ASSETS | 2,026 | 2,040 | |
| Equity and liabilities | |||
| Share capital and reserves | |||
| Share capital | 8 | 3,203 | 3,203 |
| Retained deficit and reserves | (903,094) | (812,101) | |
| (899,891) | (808,898) | ||
| Current liabilities | |||
| Current portion of financial guarantees | 9 | 900,684 | 809,812 |
| Payables to related parties | 10 | 323 | 476 |
| Trade payables | 847 | 480 | |
| Income tax payable | – | 61 | |
| Other current liabilities | 63 | 109 | |
| 901,917 | 810,938 | ||
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | 2,026 | 2,040 |
Parent company financial statements
As permitted by section 408(3) of the Companies Act 2006, the profit and loss account of the Company is not presented in the Company's financial statements.
The Company reported a loss of US\$90,955 thousand for the financial year ended 31 December 2022, which includes current income tax benefit of US\$27 thousand (2021: profit US\$22,342 thousand including current income tax expense of US\$64 thousand). During the reporting periods there were no transactions impacting the statement of other comprehensive income.
The financial statements of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, registered number 8717287, were approved by the Board of Directors. The financial statements were authorised for issue on 30 May 2023.
Signed on behalf of the Board:
Arfan Khan Chief Executive Officer 30 May 2023
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 168 through 177 are an integral part of these financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 165 through 174 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 165
Parent company financial statements
| For the year ended 31 December | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | Notes | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Cash flow from operating activities: | ||||
| Loss before income tax | (90,982) | 22,406 | ||
| Adjustments for: | ||||
| Depreciation | 3 | 19 | ||
| Employee share option plan fair value adjustment | (38) | (14) | ||
| Financial guarantee loss | 9 | 90,872 | (21,957) | |
| Impairment reversal | – | (232) | ||
| Operating profit before working capital changes | (145) | 222 | ||
| Changes in working capital: | ||||
| Change in other current assets | 322 | (202) | ||
| Change in receivables from related parties | 45 | 109 | ||
| Change in trade payables | 367 | 36 | ||
| Change in payables to related parties | (153) | (92) | ||
| Change in other current liabilities | (45) | (1) | ||
| Cash generated from operations | 391 | 72 | ||
| Income tax paid | (34) | (138) | ||
| Net cash flows from operating activities | 357 | (66) | ||
| Cash flow from investing activities: | ||||
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (4) | (1) | ||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (4) | (1) | ||
| Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | – | 1 | ||
| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | 353 | (66) | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year | 7 | 549 | 615 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year | 7 | 901 | 549 |
As at 31 December 2021 the Company recognised bad debt allowance in the amount of US\$93 thousand against the loan receivable from Nostrum employee benefit trust and a similar but opposite amount against its loan payable to its subsidiary Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. (Notes 6 and 10). These transactions had impact on "change in receivables from related parties" and "change in payables to related parties" above.
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 168 through 177 are an integral part of these financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 165 through 174 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
166 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
Parent company statement of changes in equity
| In thousands of US Dollars | Share | Other | Retained | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | capital | reserves | deficit | Total | |
| As at 1 January 2021 | 3,203 | 849 | (835,048) | (830,996) | |
| Profit for the year | – | – | 22,342 | 22,342 | |
| Total comprehensive income for the year | – | – | 22,342 | 22,342 | |
| Share based payments under LTIP | 13 | – | (244) | – | (244) |
| As at 31 December 2021 | 3,203 | 605 | (812,706) | (808,898) | |
| Loss for the year | – | – | (90,955) | (90,955) | |
| Total comprehensive loss for the year | – | – | (90,955) | (90,955) | |
| Share based payments under LTIP | 13 | – | (38) | – | (38) |
| As at 31 December 2022 | 3,203 | 567 | (903,661) | (899,891) |
Parent company financial statements
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 168 through 177 are an integral part of these financial statements The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 165 through 174 are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 167
Parent company financial statements
deficit Total
The accounting policies and explanatory notes on pages 168 through 177 are an integral part of these financial statements
Parent company statement of changes in equity
Notes
As at 1 January 2021 3,203 849 (835,048) (830,996)
Profit for the year – – 22,342 22,342 Total comprehensive income for the year – – 22,342 22,342
Share based payments under LTIP 13 – (244) – (244) As at 31 December 2021 3,203 605 (812,706) (808,898)
Loss for the year – – (90,955) (90,955) Total comprehensive loss for the year – – (90,955) (90,955)
Share based payments under LTIP 13 – (38) – (38) As at 31 December 2022 3,203 567 (903,661) (899,891)
Share capital
Other reserves Retained
In thousands of US Dollars
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 167
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC ("the Company") is a public limited company incorporated on 3 October 2013 under the Companies Act 2006 and registered in England and Wales with registered number 8717287. The registered address of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC is: 20 Eastbourne Terrace, London W2 6LA, United Kingdom.
Parent company financial statements
The subsidiary undertakings of the Company as at 31 December 2022 and the percentage holding of their capital are set out below:
| Company | Registered office | Form of capital |
Owner ship, % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct subsidiary undertakings: | |||
| Nostrum Oil & | Bloemendaalseweg | Members' | 100 |
| Gas | 139, 2061 CH | interests | |
| Coöperatief | Bloemendaal, The | ||
| U.A. | Netherlands | ||
| Nostrum Oil & | Bloemendaalseweg | Ordinary | 100 |
| Gas B.V. | 139, 2061 CH | shares | |
| Bloemendaal, The | |||
| Netherlands | |||
| Nostrum Oil & | 20 Eastbourne | Ordinary | 100 |
| Gas Holding | Terrace, London, | shares | |
| Ltd | W2 6LG, UK | ||
| Indirect subsidiary undertakings: | |||
| Nostrum | 43B Karev street, | Participa | 100 |
| Associated | 090000 Uralsk, | tory | |
| Investments | Republic of | interests | |
| LLP | Kazakhstan | ||
| Nostrum Oil & | Bloemendaalseweg | Ordinary | 100 |
| Gas Finance | 139, 2061 CH | shares | |
| B.V. | Bloemendaal, The | ||
| Netherlands | |||
| Nostrum Oil & | 20 Eastbourne | Ordinary | 100 |
| Gas UK Ltd. | Terrace, London W2 | shares | |
| 6LA, United | |||
| Kingdom | |||
| Nostrum | Aksai 3a, 75/38, | Participa | 100 |
| Services | 050031 Almaty, | tory | |
| Central Asia | Republic of | interests | |
| LLP | Kazakhstan | ||
| Nostrum | Chaussee de Wavre | Ordinary | 100 |
| Services N.V. | 20, 1360 Perwez, | shares | |
| Belgium | |||
| Zhaikmunai | 43/1 Karev street, | Participa | 100 |
| LLP | 090000 Uralsk, | tory | |
| Republic of | interests | ||
| Kazakhstan |
The entire holding in the equity of Nostrum E&P Services LLP of the subsidiary was disposed on 30 April 2021.
The Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries are hereinafter referred to as "the Group".
168 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
Forbearance and Lock-up agreements
The Group has not made coupon payments due under the Existing Notes since July 2020, which was an event of default under the terms of the indentures governing 2022 Notes and 2025 Notes. However, the Group continued active discussions with the financial and legal advisers to the AHG and signed the First Forbearance Agreement ("First FBA") with the AHG on 23 October 2020 and a new Forbearance Agreement ("Second FBA") on 19 May 2021 (together the "FBAs"). The First FBA and the Second FBA were on substantially the same terms and prohibited the AHG from exercising certain rights and remedies under the Existing Note indentures. The FBAs were intended to provide the Group with a short-term solution to its liquidity issues and a platform to engage in discussions with the noteholders in relation to a potential restructuring.
As part of the signing of the FBAs, the Group agreed to pay consent fees to existing noteholders as well as agreeing to deposit a portion of the missed initial coupon payments into a Restricted Account. A total of US\$6,701,973 has been paid in consent fees during the signing and various extensions of the FBAs, of which US\$1,116,990 was paid in 2021. A total of US\$22,658,980 has been deposited into the Restricted Account under the terms of the FBAs (including US\$9,758.980 transferred in 2021), with Nostrum having access to the funds under certain circumstances, such as liquidity falling below an agreed threshold).
On 23 December 2021, the Group entered into a lock-up agreement (the "First LUA") and agreed terms of a restructuring with noteholders. Holders of 77.73% of the total aggregate principal amount of the Notes signed or acceded to the First LUA including a majority of holders of aggregate principal amount of both Senior Notes and an affiliate of ICU in its capacity as a shareholder and holder of the Notes. A fee of 50 bps (the "Lock-up Fee") was payable to each Participating Noteholder who was originally party to the First LUA or acceded to the First LUA within 22 days of its execution (i.e. by 14 January 2022).
The First LUA expired on 17 August 2022, on which day the Group entered into the Second Lock-Up Agreement with the AHG and ICU (the "Second LUA"). The parties to the Second LUA gave similar undertakings to those given in the First LUA, and terms of the Restructuring remained the same. No consent or "early bird" fee was payable in relation to the Second LUA.
Upon signing of the First LUA and the Second LUA (together the "LUAs"), the Second FBA was extended in parallel. The terms and conditions continued to remain in effect during the restructuring until the successful closing of the restructuring.
The below outlines the key terms of the restructuring as agreed between the Group, acceded noteholders and ICU in the LUAs and also voted in favour of by Nostrum shareholders:
Following execution of the Lock-up Agreement, the Group commenced implementation of the Restructuring.
On 4 February 2022, the Group received the required consents from noteholders after a solicitation process to approve the amendments to the Existing Notes indentures. The approved amendments (i) changed the governing law and
jurisdiction of both Existing Notes indentures from the State of New York to the laws of England and Wales; (ii) made Nostrum Oil & Gas plc a co-issuer of the Existing Notes and (iii) other smaller amendments to facilitate the implementation of the restructuring. Holders of 87.081% in aggregate principal amount of the 2022 Notes and Holders of 91.222% in aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes provided consents. No consent solicitation payments were made to vote in favour.
On 29 April 2022, 99.99% of voting shareholders voted for the implementation of the restructuring which meant that the restructuring continues under a UK scheme of arrangement under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006. Further, 99.89% of voting shareholders voted in favour of the RPT Resolution, allowing a related party to receive the issuance of new securities under the scheme.
On 20 June 2022, the High Court of Justice of England and Wales has made an order granting the Group permission to convene a meeting for the Scheme creditors to approve the Restructuring.
On 1 July 2022, the Group received the required consents from the Kazakhstan Ministry of Energy («MOE») with respect to (i) the issue of new shares and warrants (in partial repayment of the Existing Notes) and (ii) the waiver of the State of Kazakhstan's priority right to acquire such new shares and warrants.
On 1 August 2022, after receiving a key regulatory authorisation from the US Office of Foreign Assets
The Company financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2022 have been prepared on a going concern basis and in accordance with UK Adopted International Accounting Standards.
The Company financial statements have been prepared based on a historical cost basis. The Company financial statements are presented in US dollars and all values are rounded to the nearest thousands, except when otherwise indicated.
The Company recognises that there may be potential financial implications in the future from changes in legislation and regulation implemented to address climate change risk. Over time these changes may have an impact across a number of areas of accounting including asset impairment, increased costs, provisions, onerous contracts and contingent liabilities. However, as at the reporting sheet date, the Company believes there is no
Control, the Company issued a notice inviting Scheme creditors to a Scheme meeting on 21 August 2022. At the Scheme meeting with participation and voting (by proxy) of 148 Scheme Creditors, the Scheme proposed by the Company in connection with the Restructuring was approved by the requisite majority of Scheme Creditors (being a majority in number, representing at least 75 percent in value of the Scheme Creditors present and voting).
On 26 August 2022, the Scheme Sanction Hearing took place, whereby the Court made an order sanctioning the Scheme, following which on 31 August 2022 the Scheme Sanction Order was lodged with Companies House and the Scheme thereby took effect and binds (amongst other parties) all Scheme Creditors and the Company by its terms.
On 14 October 2022, a prospectus was approved by the FCA and published by the Company (the 'Prospectus'). The Prospectus relates to the proposed admission of up to 1,505,633,046 new ordinary shares to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the main market for listed securities of London Stock Exchange plc.
In January 2023, the Group received the licence from Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (the UK) approving the Scheme and the issue of the Prospectus, and confirmations that such licences are not required from the Ministry of
Finance (the Netherlands) and Policy & Resources Committee (the UK, States of Guernsey).
Parent company financial statements
On 9 February the Group notified that the Restructuring was implemented pursuant to the terms of the Scheme sanctioned by the Court on 26 August 2022. The terms of the Restructuring included the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital of the Company following the issue of the New Shares on 9 February 2023. This sub-division and share consolidation occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 and resulted in the number of Ordinary Shares on issue being reduced from approximately 1,693.8 million Ordinary Shares (following the issue of the New Shares yesterday) to approximately 169.4 million Ordinary Shares on the basis of a 10:1 consolidation of ordinary shares. Accordingly, on 10 February 2023, 150,563,304 new Ordinary Shares have been admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange underthe ticker symbol "NOG.L". The Company's ordinary shares (including the New Shares) were also admitted to listing and trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) on 13 February 2023. The New Warrants will not be admitted to listing and trading on the AIX. The SSNs and SUNs (together referred to as the "New Notes") and the New Warrants were also admitted to listing and trading on The International Stock Exchange (TISE) with effect from 9 February 2023. No securities will be listed on the Irish Stock Exchange plc.
place over allocation of resources among parent and subsidiaries.
It was also noted that the Company was in a net liability position as at 31 December 2022, due primarily to recognition of the Financial Guarantee as explained in the Note 9. However, as a result of the completion of Restructuring in February 2023 the amount of Financial guarantee has substantially decreased in line with the Group's borrowings (Note 16), thus significantly improving the financial position of the Company.
Taking into account abovementioned, the directors are satisfied that the Company will have sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of these financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
material impact on the balance sheet carrying values of assets or liabilities. This is not considered
These financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The Company is dependent on liquidity generated by its subsidiaries to continue in operation and its ability to meet its liabilities as they become due for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of these financial statements.
Respectively, the Group level going concern matters and analysis are considered directly relevant for the Company (please refer to page 52 of the Annual Report for more details). The directors are satisfied that the Group will have sufficient resources to continue in operation for the foreseeable future, a period of not less than 12 months from the date of these financial statements. In addition, the Group has controls in
The Company applied for the first-time certain standards and amendments, which are effective for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2022. The Company has not early adopted any other standard, interpretation or amendment that has been issued but is not yet effective.
Onerous Contracts – Costs of Fulfilling a Contract – Amendments to IAS 37
An onerous contract is a contract under which the unavoidable costs (i.e., the costs that the Group cannot avoid because it has the contract) of meeting the obligations under the contract exceed the economic benefits expected to be received under it.
The amendments specify that when assessing whether a contract is onerous or loss-making, an entity needs to include costs that relate directly to a contract to provide goods or services include both incremental costs (e.g., the costs of direct labour and materials) and an allocation of costs directly related to contract activities (e.g., depreciation of equipment used to fulfil the contract as well as costs of contract management and supervision). General and administrative costs
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 169
do not relate directly to a contract and are excluded unless they are explicitly chargeable to the counterparty under the contract.
Parent company financial statements
The Company applies these amendments to contracts for which it has not yet fulfilled all its obligations at 1 January 2022. These amendments had no impact on the financial statements of the Company.
The amendments replace a reference to a previous version of the IASB's Conceptual Framework with a reference to the current version issued in March 2018 without significantly changing its requirements.
The amendments add an exception to the recognition principle of IFRS 3 Business Combinations to avoid the issue of potential 'day 2' gains or losses arising for liabilities and contingent liabilities that would be within the scope of IAS 37 Provisions, Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets or IFRIC 21 Levies, if incurred separately. The exception requires entities to apply the criteria in IAS 37 or IFRIC 21, respectively, instead of the Conceptual Framework, to determine whether a present obligation exists at the acquisition date. The amendments also add a new paragraph to IFRS 3 to clarify that contingent assets do not qualify for recognition at the acquisition date.
These amendments had no impact on the financial statements of the Company as there were no contingent assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities within the scope of these amendments arisen during the period.
The amendment prohibits entities from deducting from the cost of an item of property, plant and equipment, any proceeds of the sale of items produced while bringing that asset to the location and condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner intended by management. Instead, an entity recognises the proceeds from selling such items, and the costs of producing those items, in profit or loss.
These amendments had no impact on the financial statements of the Company as there were no sales of such items produced by property, plant and equipment made available for use on or after the beginning of the earliest period presented.
The amendment clarifies the fees that an entity includes when assessing whether the terms of a new or modified financial liability are substantially different from the terms of the original financial liability. These fees include only those paid or received between the borrower and the lender, including fees paid or received by either the borrower or lender on the other's behalf. There is no similar amendment proposed for IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement.
170 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
These amendments had no impact on the financial statements of the Company as there were no modifications of the Company's financial instruments during the period.
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts(IFRS 17), a comprehensive new accounting standard for insurance contracts covering recognition and measurement, presentation and disclosure. Once effective, IFRS 17 willreplace IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts(IFRS 4) that wasissued in 2005. IFRS 17 appliesto all types of insurance contracts(i.e., life, non-life, direct insurance and re-insurance), regardless of the type of entitiesthat issue them, as well asto certain guarantees and financial instruments with discretionary participation features. A few scope exceptions will apply. The overall objective of IFRS 17 isto provide an accounting model forinsurance contractsthat is more useful and consistent for insurers. In contrast to the requirementsin IFRS 4, which are largely based on grandfathering previous local accounting policies, IFRS 17 provides a comprehensive model forinsurance contracts, covering allrelevant accounting aspects. The core of IFRS 17 isthe general model,supplemented by:
• A specific adaptation for contracts with direct participation features (the variable fee approach)
• A simplified approach (the premium allocation approach) mainly for short-duration contracts IFRS 17 is effective for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023, with comparative figuresrequired. Early application is permitted, provided the entity also appliesIFRS 9 and IFRS 15 on or before the date it first appliesIFRS 17. This standard is not applicable to the Company.
In January 2020, the IASB issued amendmentsto paragraphs 69 to 76 of IAS 1 to specify the requirementsfor classifying liabilities as current or non-current. The amendments clarify:
The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2024 and must be applied retrospectively. The Company is currently assessing the impact the amendments will have on current practice.
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendmentsto IAS 8, in which it introduces a definition of 'accounting estimates'. The amendments clarify the distinction between changesin accounting estimates and changesin accounting policies and
the correction of errors. Also, they clarify how entities usemeasurement techniques and inputs to develop accounting estimates. The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 and apply to changesin accounting policies and changesin accounting estimatesthat occur on or after the start of that period. Earlier application is permitted aslong asthisfact is disclosed. The amendments are not expected to have a material impact on the Company'sfinancial
statements.
In February 2021, the IASB issued amendmentsto IAS 1 and IFRS Practice Statement 2 Making Materiality Judgements, in which it provides guidance and examplesto help entities apply materiality judgementsto accounting policy disclosures. The amendments aim to help entities provide accounting policy disclosuresthat are more useful by replacing the requirement for entitiesto disclose their'significant' accounting policies with a requirement to disclose their 'material' accounting policies and adding guidance on how entities apply the concept ofmateriality in making decisions about accounting policy disclosures.
The amendmentsto IAS 1 are applicable for annual periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023 with earlier application permitted. Since the amendmentsto the Practice Statement 2 provide non-mandatory guidance on the application of the definition ofmaterial to accounting policy information, an effective date forthese amendmentsis not necessary. The Company is currently revisiting their accounting policy information disclosuresto ensure consistency with the amended requirements.
In May 2021, the Board issued amendmentsto IAS 12, which narrow the scope of the initial recognition exception underIAS 12,so that it no longer appliesto transactionsthat give rise to equal taxable and deductible temporary differences.
The amendmentsshould be applied to transactionsthat occur on or afterthe beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. In addition, at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented, a deferred tax asset (provided thatsufficient taxable profit is available) and a deferred tax liability should also be recognised for all deductible and taxable temporary differences associated with leases and decommissioning obligations.
The amendments are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2023. The Company is currently assessing the impact of the amendments.
The functional currency is the currency of the primary economic environment in which an entity operates and is normally the currency in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash.
The functional currency of the Company is the United States dollar (the "US dollar" or "US\$").
Investments
Investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost. Subsequently, the Company determines whether it is necessary to recognise an impairment loss on its investment in a subsidiary. At each reporting date, the Company determines whether there is objective evidence that the investment in the subsidiary is impaired. If there is such evidence, the Company calculates the amount of impairment as the difference between the recoverable amount of the subsidiary and its carrying value, and then recognises the impairment loss in the statement of profit or loss.
Financial assets are classified, at initial recognition, as subsequently measured at amortised cost, fair value through other comprehensive income (OCI), and fair value through profit or loss. The Company determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition.
The classification of financial assets at initial recognition depends on the financial asset's contractual cash flow characteristics and the Company's business model for managing them. With the exception of trade receivables that do not contain a significant financing component or for which the Company has applied the practical expedient, the Company initially measures a financial asset at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs.
In order for a financial asset to be classified and measured at amortised cost or fair value through OCI, it needs to give rise to cash flows that are 'solely payments of principal and interest (SPPI)' on the principal amount outstanding. This assessment is referred to as the SPPI test and is performed at an instrument level.
The Company's business model for managing financial assets refers to how it manages its financial assets in order to generate cash flows. The business model determines whether cash flows will result from collecting contractual cash flows, selling the financial assets, or both.
Purchases or sales of financial assets that require delivery of assets within a time frame established by Transactions in foreign currencies are initially recorded at their respective functional currency spot rates at the date the transaction first qualifies for recognition.
Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated at the functional currency spot rates of exchange at the reporting date. All differences are taken to the profit or loss.
Determination as to whether, and by how much, the investment in a subsidiary is impaired involves management's best estimates on highly uncertain matters such as future revenues of the subsidiary, operating expenses, discount rate, as well as fiscal regimes.
As at 31 December 2019, the Company had recorded impairment for the full amount of the investments in Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. in the amount of US\$116,437 thousand and US\$222 thousand, respectively. Such impairment has been recognised in view of the decrease in the net assets of these subsidiaries, and the reduction of the 2P reserves expected to be recovered from the main operating
regulation or convention in the market place (regular way trades) are recognised on the trade date, i.e., the date that the Company commits to purchase or sell the asset.
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial assets are classified in four categories:
This category is the most relevant to the Company. The Company measures financial assets at amortised cost if both of the following conditions are met:
Financial assets at amortised cost are subsequently measured using the effective interest (EIR) method and are subject to impairment. Gains and losses are Non-monetary items that are measured in terms of historical cost in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates as at the dates of the initial transactions. Non-monetary items measured at fair value in a foreign currency are translated using the exchange rates at the date when the fair value is determined.
Parent company financial statements
subsidiary of the Company over the period of 2020- 2032, with the relevant decrease in the expected future net cash proceeds of Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A.
A reversal of impairment in the amount of US\$38 thousand (Note 5) wasrecognised as at 31 December 2022 (31 December 2021: US\$232 thousand) corresponding to the decrease in the amount of investment in Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. resulting from the adjustment under the Long-term Incentive Plan 2017.
As at 31 December 2022, impairment for the full amount of investments in Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. remained appropriate taking into account no significant changes in the assessments of recoverability of these investments.
recognised in profit or loss when the asset is derecognised, modified or impaired.
The Company's financial assets at amortised cost include cash and receivablesfrom related parties.
A financial asset (or, where applicable, a part of a financial asset or part of a group of similar financial assets) is primarily derecognised (i.e., removed from the Company's statement of financial position) when:
When the Company has transferred its rights to receive cash flows from an asset or has entered into a pass-through arrangement, it evaluates if, and to what extent, it has retained the risks and rewards of ownership. When it has neither transferred nor retained substantially all of the risks and rewards of the asset, nor transferred control of the asset, the Company continues to recognise the transferred asset to the extent of its continuing involvement. In that case, the Company also recognises an associated liability. The transferred asset and the associated liability are measured on a basis that
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 171
reflects the rights and obligations that the Company has retained.
Parent company financial statements
The Company recognises an allowance for expected credit losses (ECLs) for all debt instruments not held at fair value through profit or loss. ECLs are based on the difference between the contractual cash flows due in accordance with the contract and all the cash flows that the Company expects to receive, discounted at an approximation of the original effective interest rate. The expected cash flows will
include cash flows from the sale of collateral held or other credit enhancements that are integral to the contractual terms.
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
ECLs are recognised in two stages. For credit exposures for which there has not been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, ECLs are provided for credit losses that result from default events that are possible within the next 12 months (a 12-month ECL). For those credit exposures for which there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial recognition, a loss
allowance is required for credit losses expected over the remaining life of the exposure, irrespective of the timing of the default (a lifetime ECL).
For trade receivables and contract assets, the Company applies a simplified approach in calculating ECLs. Therefore, the Company does not track changes in credit risk, but instead recognises a loss allowance based on lifetime ECLs at each reporting date.
Initial recognition, measurement and derecognition
Financial liabilities are classified, at initial recognition, as financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss, long-term borrowings, payables, or as derivatives designated as hedging instruments in an effective hedge, as appropriate.
All financial liabilities are recognised initially at fair value and, in the case of long-term borrowings and payables, net of directly attributable transaction costs.
The Company's financial liabilities include trade payables, payables related parties and financial guarantee liabilities.
For purposes of subsequent measurement, financial liabilities are classified in two categories:
• Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial guarantee is initially recognised in the financial statements at fair value at the time the guarantee is issued. The Company estimates the fair value of the financial guarantee contract as the difference between the net present value of the contractual cashflows required under a debt instrument, and the net present value of the net contractual cashflows that would have been required without the guarantee. The present value is calculated using a risk-free interest rate.
The cost of cash-settled equity-based employee compensation is measured initially at fair value at the grant date. This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding liability. The liability is remeasured at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date with changes in fair value recognised in the statement of comprehensive income.
172 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
• Financial liabilities at amortised cost (loans and borrowings)
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss
Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss include financial liabilities held for trading and financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss.
Financial liabilities are classified as held for trading if they are incurred for the purpose of repurchasing in the near term. This category also includes derivative financial instruments entered into by the Company that are not designated as hedging instruments in hedge relationships as defined by IFRS 9. Separated embedded derivatives are also classified as held for trading unless they are designated as effective hedging instruments.
Gains or losses on liabilities held for trading are recognised in the statement of profit or loss.
Subsequent to initial recognition, the Company's liability under each guarantee is measured at the higher of the amount initially recognised less cumulative amortisation recognised in profit and loss, and the amount of expected credit losses (ECL). Financial guarantee ECL reflect the cash shortfalls adjusted by the risks that are specific to the cashflows. If the ECL exceeds the initially recognised guarantee amount less cumulative amortisation the difference is taken to profit and loss.
The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value at the grant date. This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding equity element, which is not remeasured subsequently until the settlement date.
Estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions requires determination of the most appropriate valuation model, which is dependent Financial liabilities designated upon initial recognition at fair value through profit or loss are designated at the initial date of recognition, and only if the criteria in IFRS 9 are satisfied. The Company has not designated any financial liability as at fair value through profit or loss.
A financial liability is derecognised when the obligation under the liability is discharged or cancelled or expires. When an existing financial liability is replaced by another from the same lender on substantially different terms, or the terms of an existing liability are substantially modified, such an exchange or modification is treated as the derecognition of the original liability and the recognition of a new liability. The difference in the respective carrying amounts is recognised in the statement of profit or loss.
Financial report
A financial guarantee liability is derecognised when the liability underlying the guarantee is discharged or cancelled or expires, or if the guarantee is withdrawn or cancelled. The carrying amount of the financial guarantee is taken to the statement of profit or loss.
on the terms and conditions of the grant. This estimate also requires determination of the most appropriate inputs to the valuation model including the expected life of the share option, volatility and distribution yield and making assumptions about them. The assumptions and models used for estimating fair value for share-based payment transactions are disclosed in Note 13.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 Investments of the Company comprised the following:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 31 December | 31 December |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2021 | |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. | 116,398,903 | 116,669,665 |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas BV | 222,271 | 222,271 |
| Impairment of investments | (116,621,174) | (116,891,936) |
| – | – |
The investments in Nostrum & Gas Cooperatief U.A. include the guaranteesinitial cost in the amount of US\$9,881 thousand as described in the Note 9 (2021: US\$9,881 thousand) as well as US\$518 thousand capitalized costs under the "Long-term Incentive Plan 2017" (2021: US\$556 thousand).
As a result of the impairment testing performed at 31 December 2019 the Company recognised an impairment charge of US\$117,361 thousand for the full amount of its investments in subsidiaries. For more details, please refer to Note 4. As at 31 December 2022 and 2021 the Company has partially reversed previously recognised impairment of investments in subsidiaries in the amount of US\$38 thousand and US\$232 thousand, relatively, corresponding to the adjustment under the "Long-term Incentive Plan 2017".
Receivables from related parties are comprised of the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Receivables from Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust |
23,812 | 23,812 |
| Receivables from Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. |
836 | 729 |
| 24,648 | 24,541 | |
| Less: bad debt allowance | (23,693) | (23,541) |
| 955 | 1,000 |
Receivables from the Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust ("the Trust") represent the loan provided to support the Company's obligations to employees under the Employee Share Option Plan ("ESOP") and the Long-Term Incentive Plan 2017 ("LTIP") (Note 13). The loan is interest free and unsecured. The loan is repayable in the case of an advance used to acquire securities to satisfy the exercise of options granted pursuant to the rules of ESOP, and unless otherwise agreed in writing between the parties, the earlier of 1) ten years from the Date of Grant, or 2) 30 days after the exercise date, and in all other cases any other date agreed in writing between the parties.
Considering the fact that the loan is repayable to the extent of the assets of the Trust, which are reflected in treasury shares held by the Trust, the Company has recognised a bad debt allowance as at 31 December 2021 in the amount of US\$23,541 thousand, representing the difference between the book value of the loan and the recoverable value of the treasury shares as of 31 December 2021.
As at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 cash and cash equivalents comprised the following:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2021 | 2021 |
| Current accounts in Pounds Sterling | 901 | 319 |
| Current accounts in US Dollars | – | 230 |
| 901 | 549 |
As at 31 December 2022 the ownership interests in Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC consists of 188,182,958 issued and fully paid ordinary shares, which are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The ordinary shares have a nominal value of GB£ 0.01. There were no movements in the number of shares during the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021and comprised of the following:
Parent company financial statements
Parent company financial statements
Financial guarantees are comprised of the following as at 31 December 2022 and
In thousands of US Dollars 2022 2021 Financial guarantee as at 1 January 809,812 831,767 Charge for expected credit losses 90,872 (21,955) Financial guarantee as at 31 December 900,684 809,812 The Company acts as a guarantor under the Group's US\$725 million 8.0% Senior Notes due July 2022 and/or its US\$400 million 7.0% Senior Notes due February 2025 (the 'Notes'). Since the guarantees are issued in favour of the Company's indirect subsidiaries, related costs at initial recognition are capitalized into the
In 2022 and 2021, the Company performed an assessment of the value of the guarantees issued under the 2022 and 2025 Notes, taking into account the Group's financial position as at 31 December in both years and the fact that the Company is the parent entity in the Group and so would ultimately assume the guarantee obligations of its subsidiaries in the event of their inability to meet such obligations. As a result, the Company has recognised the guarantee liabilities for the total amount of US\$ 886,513 thousand as at 31 December 2022 (2021: US\$809,812 thousand), representing the amount of expected credit losses as of
the reporting date. Further details on the Notes are provided below.
During 2020 the Company engaged with its bondholders regarding a possible restructuring of the Group's Notes. On 23 October 2020 the Company announced that, together with certain of its subsidiaries (the "Note Parties"), it had entered into a forbearance agreement with members of the AHG. On 23 December 2021, the Company announced the execution of a lock-up agreement. Under the terms of the Lock-up Agreement, the Group, ICU and the AHG have agreed to implement a transaction which restructures the Notes. More detailed information related to forbearance agreement and discussions with bondholders is disclosed
On 25 July 2017, a newly incorporated entity, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (the "2022 Issuer") issued US\$ 725,000 thousand notes (the "2022 Notes"). The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per year, payable on 25 January and 25 July
The 2022 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the "2022 Guarantees") on a senior basis by Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A., Zhaikmunai LLP and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. (the "2022 Guarantors"). The 2022 Notes are the 2022 Issuer's and the 2022 Guarantors' senior obligations and rank equally with all of the 2022 Issuer's and the 2022 Guarantors' other senior
On 16 February 2018, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (the "2025 Issuer") issued US\$ 400,000 thousand notes (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year, payable on 16 February and 16 August of each year,
The 2025 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the "2025 Guarantees") on a senior basis by Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A., Zhaikmunai LLP and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. (the "2025 Guarantors"). The 2025 Notes are the 2025 Issuer's and the 2025 Guarantors' senior obligations and rank equally with all of the 2025 Issuer's and the 2025 Guarantors' other senior
On 26 August 2020 the Company announced that an event of default has occurred under the terms of the indenture governing 2022 Notes resulting from the Issuer's non-payment of interest due and payable on 25 July 2020 to the holders of the 2022 Notes and the expiration of the 30-day grace period which commenced on the same date. Following this, the Issuer also did not pay interest on 2025 Notes when due and upon the expiration of the 30-day grace period in
9. Financial guarantees
investments in subsidiaries (Note 5).
31 December 2021:
in the Note 1. 2022 Notes
indebtedness. 2025 Notes
maturing in 2025.
indebtedness.
Reclassification to current liabilities
of each year, maturing in 2022.
174 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
respect of such payment. As mentioned above, the Company engaged with its bondholders regarding a possible restructuring of the Group's Notes and entered into Forbearance Agreement. More detailed information related to forbearance agreement and discussions with bondholders is disclosed in the Note 1. Considering these facts and circumstances, from 2020 the Company has reclassified the balance of the financial guaranteesinto current liabilities and
Payables to related parties are comprised of the following as at 31 December
Payables to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. 119 272 Interest payable Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. 204 204
As at 31 December 2022 amounts payable to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. represent the arrangements in respect of the Nostrum employee benefit trust. For more details, please refer to Note 6. Based on the service agreement, the amounts payable to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. in respect to the employee benefit trust, are only repayable to the extent of amounts received (or recovered) from the Trust. Considering the fact that the loan is repayable to the extent of the assets of the Trust, which are reflected in treasury shares held by the Trust, the Company has remeasured and reduced the loan payable as at 31 December 2022 by US\$152,709 (2021: US\$92,613), representing the difference between the book value of the loan and the recoverable value of the treasury
As at 31 December 2022 and 2021 amounts payable to Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. represent interest accrued in the amount US\$204 thousand on the loan from Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. The loan on which the above interest amounts were calculated was settled against the receivables due from Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. in the amount of \$3,000 thousand in 2019.
For the year ended 31 December 2022 the fees for the audit of the Company
31 December 2021
31 December 2021
323 476
presented them as the current portion of financial guarantees.
10. Payables to related parties
2022 and 31 December 2021: In thousands of US Dollars
shares as of 31 December 2022.
11. Auditors' remuneration
amount to US\$10 thousand (2021: US\$10 thousand).
| Number of shares | |
|---|---|
| In circulation | 185,234,079 |
| Treasury capital | 2,948,879 |
| 188,182,958 |
Treasury shares were issued to support the Group's obligations to employees under the Employee Share Option Plan ("ESOP") and the Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") and are held by Intertrust Employee Benefit Trustee Limited as trustee for the Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust. In the case of the ESOP, upon request from employees to exercise options, the trustee would sell shares on the market and settle respective obligations under the ESOP. In the case of sharesettled LTIP awards, the trustee would transfershares to the relevant LTIP award holder (although no LTIP awards are currently exercisable). The Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust constitutes a special purpose entity under IFRS and therefore, the shares held in the trust are recorded as treasury capital of the Company.
Group reorganisation reserve in the amount of US\$255,459 thousand represents the difference between the partnership capital, treasury capital and additional paid-in capital of Nostrum Oil & Gas LP and the share capital of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, that arose during the reorganisation of the Group in 2014. Share-option reserves include amounts related to sale of treasury shares under ESOP as well as share-based payments under LTIP.
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC became the new holding company for the business of Nostrum Oil & Gas LP based on the resolution passed by its limited partners on 17 June 2014 followed by the Company reorganisation referred to in that resolution.
As at 31 December 2022 the ownership interests in the Company consist of ordinary shares, which are listed on the London Stock Exchange, these shares have been issued and fully paid. As at 1 January 2014 the Company had subscriber shares and redeemable preference shares, all of which were cancelled on 7 August 2014.
The subscriber and redeemable preference shares had a nominal value of GBP 1 and the ordinary shares have a nominal value of GBP 0.01.
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 173
Parent company financial statements
Financial guarantees are comprised of the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial guarantee as at 1 January | 809,812 | 831,767 |
| Charge for expected credit losses | 90,872 | (21,955) |
| Financial guarantee as at 31 December | 900,684 | 809,812 |
The Company acts as a guarantor under the Group's US\$725 million 8.0% Senior Notes due July 2022 and/or its US\$400 million 7.0% Senior Notes due February 2025 (the 'Notes'). Since the guarantees are issued in favour of the Company's indirect subsidiaries, related costs at initial recognition are capitalized into the investments in subsidiaries (Note 5).
In 2022 and 2021, the Company performed an assessment of the value of the guarantees issued under the 2022 and 2025 Notes, taking into account the Group's financial position as at 31 December in both years and the fact that the Company is the parent entity in the Group and so would ultimately assume the guarantee obligations of its subsidiaries in the event of their inability to meet such obligations. As a result, the Company has recognised the guarantee liabilities for the total amount of US\$ 886,513 thousand as at 31 December 2022 (2021: US\$809,812 thousand), representing the amount of expected credit losses as of the reporting date. Further details on the Notes are provided below.
During 2020 the Company engaged with its bondholders regarding a possible restructuring of the Group's Notes. On 23 October 2020 the Company announced that, together with certain of its subsidiaries (the "Note Parties"), it had entered into a forbearance agreement with members of the AHG. On 23 December 2021, the Company announced the execution of a lock-up agreement. Under the terms of the Lock-up Agreement, the Group, ICU and the AHG have agreed to implement a transaction which restructures the Notes. More detailed information related to forbearance agreement and discussions with bondholders is disclosed in the Note 1.
On 25 July 2017, a newly incorporated entity, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (the "2022 Issuer") issued US\$ 725,000 thousand notes (the "2022 Notes"). The 2022 Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.00% per year, payable on 25 January and 25 July of each year, maturing in 2022.
The 2022 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the "2022 Guarantees") on a senior basis by Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A., Zhaikmunai LLP and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. (the "2022 Guarantors"). The 2022 Notes are the 2022 Issuer's and the 2022 Guarantors' senior obligations and rank equally with all of the 2022 Issuer's and the 2022 Guarantors' other senior indebtedness.
On 16 February 2018, Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (the "2025 Issuer") issued US\$ 400,000 thousand notes (the "2025 Notes"). The 2025 Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year, payable on 16 February and 16 August of each year, maturing in 2025.
The 2025 Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed (the "2025 Guarantees") on a senior basis by Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A., Zhaikmunai LLP and Nostrum Oil & Gas B.V. (the "2025 Guarantors"). The 2025 Notes are the 2025 Issuer's and the 2025 Guarantors' senior obligations and rank equally with all of the 2025 Issuer's and the 2025 Guarantors' other senior indebtedness.
On 26 August 2020 the Company announced that an event of default has occurred under the terms of the indenture governing 2022 Notes resulting from the Issuer's non-payment of interest due and payable on 25 July 2020 to the holders of the 2022 Notes and the expiration of the 30-day grace period which commenced on the same date. Following this, the Issuer also did not pay interest on 2025 Notes when due and upon the expiration of the 30-day grace period in
174 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
respect of such payment. As mentioned above, the Company engaged with its bondholders regarding a possible restructuring of the Group's Notes and entered into Forbearance Agreement. More detailed information related to forbearance agreement and discussions with bondholders is disclosed in the Note 1.
Considering these facts and circumstances, from 2020 the Company has reclassified the balance of the financial guaranteesinto current liabilities and presented them as the current portion of financial guarantees.
Payables to related parties are comprised of the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2021 | 2021 |
| Payables to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. | 119 | 272 |
| Interest payable Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. | 204 | 204 |
| 323 | 476 |
As at 31 December 2022 amounts payable to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. represent the arrangements in respect of the Nostrum employee benefit trust. For more details, please refer to Note 6. Based on the service agreement, the amounts payable to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. in respect to the employee benefit trust, are only repayable to the extent of amounts received (or recovered) from the Trust. Considering the fact that the loan is repayable to the extent of the assets of the Trust, which are reflected in treasury shares held by the Trust, the Company has remeasured and reduced the loan payable as at 31 December 2022 by US\$152,709 (2021: US\$92,613), representing the difference between the book value of the loan and the recoverable value of the treasury shares as of 31 December 2022.
As at 31 December 2022 and 2021 amounts payable to Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. represent interest accrued in the amount US\$204 thousand on the loan from Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. The loan on which the above interest amounts were calculated was settled against the receivables due from Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. in the amount of \$3,000 thousand in 2019.
For the year ended 31 December 2022 the fees for the audit of the Company amount to US\$10 thousand (2021: US\$10 thousand).
The average monthly number of employees employed was as follows:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Executive Directors | 1 | 1 |
| Administrative personnel | 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 5 |
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
| For the year ended 31 December | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 | |
| Wages and salaries | 691 | 960 | |
| Social security costs | 125 | 148 | |
| Other benefits | 19 | 40 | |
| 835 | 1,148 |
The directors of the Company are also directors of the Group. The aggregate amount of remuneration paid to or receivable by executive directors in respect of qualifying services for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 was US\$1,960 thousand (2021: US\$ US\$1,877 thousand) and also includes remuneration paid by other companies of the Group. In addition, US\$359 thousand (2021: US\$280 thousand) was paid by the Company to the non-executive directors. The directors do not believe that it is practicable to apportion these amounts between their services as directors of the Company and their services as directors of the Group.
For the year ended 31 December 2022 the Company employed an average of 2 non-executive directors (2021: 2 non-executive directors).
Full details of individual directors' remuneration are given in the directors' remuneration report on pages 108-122 of the annual report.
In 2017 the Company started operating a Long-term incentive plan ("the LTIP"), that was approved by the shareholders of the Company on 26 June 2017 and adopted by the board of directors of the Company on 24 August 2017. The LTIP is a discretionary benefit offered by the Company for the benefit of selected employees. Its main purpose is to increase the interest of the employees in the Company's long-term business goals and performance through share ownership. The LTIP is an incentive for the employees' future performance and commitment to the goals of the Company. The remuneration committee of the board of the Company has the right to decide, in its sole discretion, whether or not further awards will be granted in the future and to which employees those awards will be granted.
Employees (including senior executives and executive directors) of members of the Group or their associates may receive an award, which is a "nominal cost option" over a specified number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. The option has an exercise price of 1p per share (but the Company has the discretion to waive this prior to exercise). In addition, under the Rules of the LTIP the Company has discretion to settle awards other than by transfer of shares such as by way of cash settlement. Generally, the awards are classified as equitysettled transactions. The share options are treated as equity-settled since there are no legal limitations expected on issue of shares for these upon vesting, the Company has a choice of settlement and the intention is to settle them in equity. However, in certain jurisdictions due to regulatory requirements the Company may not be able to settle the awards other than by transfer of cash, in which case the awards are classified as cash-settled transactions, and accounted for similar to SARs.
The award ordinarily vests and becomes exercisable as from later of the third anniversary of grant or two years after the date on which the Company determines whether the performance condition has been satisfied, subject to employee's continued service and to the extent to which the performance condition is satisfied, until the end of the contractual life. The contractual life of the share options is ten years.
The cost of cash-settled equity-based employee compensation is measured initially at fair value at the grant date using a trinomial lattice valuation model. Parent company financial statements
The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value at the grant date using a trinomial lattice valuation model. This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding equity element of "shares to be issued under LTIP", which is not remeasured subsequently until the settlement date.
The following table summarizes the movement in the number of outstanding share options capable of vesting during the years ended 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| Equity-settled | Cash-settled | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| awards | awards | TOTAL awards | |
| As at 31 December 2020 | 218,893 | 26,619 | 245,512 |
| Share options forfeited | (62,854) | (26,619) | (89,473) |
| As at 31 December 2021 | 156,039 | – | 156,039 |
| Share options forfeited | (8,696) | – | (8,696) |
| As at 31 December 2022 | 147,343 | – | 147,343 |
In 2017 the Company granted 1,208,843 share options, of which 344,631 share options remained outstanding as at 31 December 2022 (2021: 542,243 share options). The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding as at 31 December 2022 was 5 years (2021: 6 years). On 23 March 2018 the remuneration committee of the board of the Company determined the level of performance conditions that were met for the performance conditions set upon issue of the share options granted in 2017. After adjusting for the nonachievement of performance conditions, 147,343 share options are capable of vesting as of 31 December 2022 (2021: 156,039 share options) and all of these share options were vested, in accordance with the management's best estimate, and exercisable as of 31 December 2022.
On 28 November 2018 the Company granted a further 1,163,040 share options, however due to the performance conditions not being met none of these share options are capable of vesting.
There were no cash-settled share-options at the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021. Based on the estimations of the carrying value of the liability, during the year ended 31 December 2021 the Company recognised a gain of US\$3 thousand from employee share options fair value adjustment. No adjustments were recognised during the year ended 31 December 2022.
The fair value of the equity-settled share options at the valuation dates of 28 November 2018 and 23 March 2018 amounted to US\$1.25 and US\$2.76 per share option, respectively. Based on these estimations, during the year ended 31 December 2021 the Company recognised income from reversal of employee share option expense in the amount of US\$11 thousand and a reduction in the investments in subsidiaries in the amounts of US\$244 thousand. No adjustments were recognised during the year ended 31 December 2022.
The Hull-White trinomial lattice valuation model was used to value the share options. The following table lists the inputs to the model used for valuation of the share options at the grant date:
| 10 October 2017 | 11 December 2017 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price at the reporting date (US\$) | 1.25 | 2.76 |
| Distribution yield (%) | 0% | 0% |
| Expected volatility (%) | 43.4% | 40.4% |
| Risk-free interest rate (%) | 1.38% | 1.45% |
| Expected life (years) | 10 | 10 |
| Option turnover (%) | 10% | 10% |
| Price trigger | 2.0 | 2.0 |
The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome. Option turnover rate represents the rate of employees expected to leave the Company during the vesting period, which is based on historical data and may not necessarily be the actual outcome. The model considers that when share price reaches the level of exercise price multiplied by the price trigger the employees are expected to exercise their options.
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 175
Parent company financial statements
Parent company financial statements
Cash-settled
awards TOTAL awards
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 175
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
statement of comprehensive income.
and exercisable as of 31 December 2022.
options are capable of vesting.
share options at the grant date:
options.
settlement date.
31 December 2021:
This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding liability. The liability is remeasured at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date with changes in fair value recognised in the
The cost of equity-settled transactions is measured at fair value at the grant date using a trinomial lattice valuation model. This fair value is expensed over the period until vesting with the recognition of a corresponding equity element of "shares to be issued under LTIP", which is not remeasured subsequently until the
The following table summarizes the movement in the number of outstanding share options capable of vesting during the years ended 31 December 2022 and
Equity-settled awards
As at 31 December 2020 218,893 26,619 245,512 Share options forfeited (62,854) (26,619) (89,473) As at 31 December 2021 156,039 – 156,039 Share options forfeited (8,696) – (8,696) As at 31 December 2022 147,343 – 147,343 In 2017 the Company granted 1,208,843 share options, of which 344,631 share options remained outstanding as at 31 December 2022 (2021: 542,243 share options). The weighted average remaining contractual life of share options outstanding as at 31 December 2022 was 5 years (2021: 6 years). On 23 March 2018 the remuneration committee of the board of the Company determined the level of performance conditions that were met for the performance conditions set upon issue of the share options granted in 2017. After adjusting for the nonachievement of performance conditions, 147,343 share options are capable of vesting as of 31 December 2022 (2021: 156,039 share options) and all of these share options were vested, in accordance with the management's best estimate,
On 28 November 2018 the Company granted a further 1,163,040 share options, however due to the performance conditions not being met none of these share
There were no cash-settled share-options at the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021. Based on the estimations of the carrying value of the liability, during the year ended 31 December 2021 the Company recognised a gain of US\$3 thousand from employee share options fair value adjustment. No adjustments
The fair value of the equity-settled share options at the valuation dates of 28 November 2018 and 23 March 2018 amounted to US\$1.25 and US\$2.76 per share option, respectively. Based on these estimations, during the year ended 31 December 2021 the Company recognised income from reversal of employee share option expense in the amount of US\$11 thousand and a reduction in the investments in subsidiaries in the amounts of US\$244 thousand. No adjustments
The Hull-White trinomial lattice valuation model was used to value the share options. The following table lists the inputs to the model used for valuation of the
Price at the reporting date (US\$) 1.25 2.76 Distribution yield (%) 0% 0% Expected volatility (%) 43.4% 40.4% Risk-free interest rate (%) 1.38% 1.45% Expected life (years) 10 10 Option turnover (%) 10% 10% Price trigger 2.0 2.0 The expected life of the options is based on historical data and is not necessarily indicative of exercise patterns that may occur. The expected volatility reflects the assumption that the historical volatility is indicative of future trends, which may also not necessarily be the actual outcome. Option turnover rate represents the rate of employees expected to leave the Company during the vesting period, which is based on historical data and may not necessarily be the actual outcome. The model considers that when share price reaches the level of exercise price multiplied by the price trigger the employees are expected to exercise their
10 October 2017 11 December 2017
were recognised during the year ended 31 December 2022.
were recognised during the year ended 31 December 2022.
12. Employee'sremuneration
Their aggregate remuneration comprised:
The average monthly number of employees employed was as follows:
In thousands of US Dollars 2022 2021 Executive Directors 1 1 Administrative personnel 3 4
In thousands of US Dollars 2022 2021 Wages and salaries 691 960 Social security costs 125 148 Other benefits 19 40
The directors of the Company are also directors of the Group. The aggregate amount of remuneration paid to or receivable by executive directors in respect of qualifying services for the financial year ended 31 December 2022 was US\$1,960 thousand (2021: US\$ US\$1,877 thousand) and also includes remuneration paid by other companies of the Group. In addition, US\$359 thousand (2021: US\$280 thousand) was paid by the Company to the non-executive directors. The directors do not believe that it is practicable to apportion these amounts between their services as directors of the Company and their services as directors of the Group. For the year ended 31 December 2022 the Company employed an average of
2 non-executive directors (2021: 2 non-executive directors).
remuneration report on pages 108-122 of the annual report.
13. Long-term incentive plan
2017 Long-term incentive plan
granted.
SARs.
the share options is ten years.
Full details of individual directors' remuneration are given in the directors'
In 2017 the Company started operating a Long-term incentive plan ("the LTIP"), that was approved by the shareholders of the Company on 26 June 2017 and adopted by the board of directors of the Company on 24 August 2017. The LTIP is a discretionary benefit offered by the Company for the benefit of selected employees. Its main purpose is to increase the interest of the employees in the Company's long-term business goals and performance through share ownership. The LTIP is an incentive for the employees' future performance and commitment to the goals of the Company. The remuneration committee of the board of the Company has the right to decide, in its sole discretion, whether or not further awards will be granted in the future and to which employees those awards will be
Employees (including senior executives and executive directors) of members of the Group or their associates may receive an award, which is a "nominal cost option" over a specified number of ordinary shares in the capital of the Company. The option has an exercise price of 1p per share (but the Company has the discretion to waive this prior to exercise). In addition, under the Rules of the LTIP the Company has discretion to settle awards other than by transfer of shares such as by way of cash settlement. Generally, the awards are classified as equitysettled transactions. The share options are treated as equity-settled since there are no legal limitations expected on issue of shares for these upon vesting, the Company has a choice of settlement and the intention is to settle them in equity. However, in certain jurisdictions due to regulatory requirements the Company may not be able to settle the awards other than by transfer of cash, in which case the awards are classified as cash-settled transactions, and accounted for similar to
The award ordinarily vests and becomes exercisable as from later of the third anniversary of grant or two years after the date on which the Company determines whether the performance condition has been satisfied, subject to employee's continued service and to the extent to which the performance condition is satisfied, until the end of the contractual life. The contractual life of
The cost of cash-settled equity-based employee compensation is measured initially at fair value at the grant date using a trinomial lattice valuation model.
For the year ended 31 December
For the year ended 31 December
4 5
835 1,148
Related parties of the Company include its direct and indirect subsidiaries, key management personnel and other entities that are under the control or significant influence of the key management personnel.
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
Accounts receivable from related parties represented by Company's subsidiaries as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 consisted of the following:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 31 December 2022 |
31 December 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Receivables from Nostrum Oil & Gas Benefit Trust Receivables from Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. |
23,812 836 |
23,812 729 |
| 24,648 | 24,541 | |
| Less: bad debt allowance | (23,693) | (23,541) |
| 955 | 1,000 |
Accounts payable to related parties represented by Company's subsidiaries as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021 consisted of the following:
| 31 December | 31 December | |
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Payables to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. | 119 | 272 |
| Interest payable Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. | 204 | 204 |
| 323 | 476 |
Financial guarantees are comprised of the following as at 31 December 2022 and 31 December 2021:
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Financial guarantee as at 1 January | 809,812 | 831,767 |
| Charge for expected credit losses | 90,872 | (21,955) |
| Financial guarantee as at 31 December | 900,684 | 809,812 |
During the years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021 the Company had the following transactions with related parties represented by Company's subsidiaries:
| For the year ended 31 December | ||
|---|---|---|
| In thousands of US Dollars | 2022 | 2021 |
| Income from provision of services Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A. |
5,516 | 5,831 |
| Loss / (gain) from financial guarantee Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V. (Note 9) |
78,340 | (21,955) |
The Company's financial assets consist of receivables from shareholders and cash and cash equivalents. The Company's financial liabilities consist of payables to related parties, trade and other payables and accrued liabilities.
The main risks arising from the Company's financial instruments are foreign exchange risk and credit risk. The Company's management reviews and agrees policies for managing each of these risks, which are summarized below.
Management has considered how the Company's identified climate risks and climate related goals (as discussed in Climate Change and GHG Emissions in the Group's 2022 Annual Report) may impact the estimation of the recoverable value of cash-generating unit tested for impairment and therefore of the finance guarantee provision. The anticipated extent and nature of the future impact of climate on the Group's operations and future investment depends on the development of new technologies and production processes employed and the level of emissions, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy. The sensitivity of the Group's impairment assessment to these factors is also impacted by the extent that estimated recoverable value exceeds the carrying value of an
176 Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022
individual cash-generating unit – where this is lower there is an increased risk of a future impact. The Group is in the process of identifying a range of actions and initiatives to progress towards the Group's goals, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, wastewater discharges and increase of waste utilisation. In certain cases, the costs of such actions have been quantified and are included in the Group's forecasts which are used to estimate recoverable value for the Group's cash-generating unit. Other actions and initiatives continue to be explored by the Group but are not sufficiently certain to be reflected in the Group's forecasts of estimated recoverable value.
Most of the Company's operation is denominated in USD, therefore the Company's statement of financial position is not significantly affected by exchange rate movements.
The Company is not exposed to interest rate risk in 2022 and 2021 as the Company had no financial instruments with floating rates as at years ended 31 December 2022 and 2021.
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company will encounter difficulty in raising funds to meet commitments associated with its financial liabilities. The Company is part of the Group's monitoring process of its risk to a shortage of funds using a liquidity planning tool. The tool allows selecting severe stress test scenarios. To ensure an adequate level of liquidity a minimum cash balance has been defined as a cushion of liquid assets. The Group's objective is to maintain a balance between continuity of funding and flexibility through the use of notes, export financing and leases, and adequately allocating funding among various entities in the Group.
The Group's total outstanding debt consists of two notes: US\$725 million issued in 2017 and maturing in 2022 and US\$400 million issued in 2018 and maturing in 2025. Based on the successfully restructuring of the Notes, the Directors confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Company and the Group will continue in operation and meet its restructured liabilities as they fall due through the three-year viability assessment period ending 30 June 2026, subject to successful partial refinancing of its debt if such becomes required before maturity of the notes. For more information on analysis of the Group's ability to meet its liabilities on repayment of the Notes please see "Viability statement" section on the Annual report on pages 45-46.
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to credit risk, consist primarily of receivables and cash in banks. The maximum exposure to credit risk is represented by the carrying amount of each financial asset. The Company considers that its maximum exposure is reflected by the amount of receivables from shareholders and cash and cash equivalents.
The Company places its US Dollar, British Pound and Euro denominated cash with Citibank which has a credit rating of Aa3 (stable) from Moody's rating agency at 31 December 2022.
Receivables are amounts receivable from Group companies, thus risk of credit default is low, except for the loan receivable from the Trust for which loss allowance has been recognised.
The fair value of the financial assets represents the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.
The management assessed that its assets and liabilities approximate their carrying amounts largely due to their nature or the short-term maturities of these instruments.
For the purpose of the Company's capital management, capital includes issued capital and all other equity reserves attributable to the equity holders of the Company. The primary objective of the Company's capital management is to maximise the shareholder value.
Parent company financial statements
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 177
On 9 February 2023 the Group notified that the Restructuring was implemented pursuant to the terms of the Scheme sanctioned by the Court on 26 August 2022.
The terms of the Restructuring included the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital of the Company following the issue of the new shares on 9 February 2023. This sub-division and share consolidation occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 and resulted in the number of Ordinary Shares on issue being reduced from approximately 1,693.8 million Ordinary Shares (following the issue of the new shares ) to approximately 169.4 million Ordinary Shares on the basis of a 10:1 consolidation of ordinary shares. Accordingly, on 10 February 2023, 150,563,304 new Ordinary Shares have been admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NOG.L". The Company's ordinary shares (including the New Shares) were also admitted to listing and trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) on 13 February 2023. The new warrants were not admitted to listing and trading on the AIX. The New Notes and the New Warrants were also admitted to listing and trading on The International Stock Exchange (TISE) with effect from 9 February 2023. No new securities were listed on the Euronext Dublin.
As a result of implementation of the restructuring a portion of the Group's Notes were exchanged for US\$250 million of SSNs and US\$345 million of SUNs, while remainder of the Existing Notes together with accrued but unpaid interest were converted into fully paid ordinary shares (the "New Shares"), resulting in the Noteholders holding 88.89% of the Enlarged Share Capital of the Company. In addition, the New Warrants were issued to be held by the Warrant Trustee on behalf of the holders of the SUNs from time to time, exercisable in full by a majority of such holders upon the occurrence of certain events to increase their holding of the Company's Enlarged Share Capital to 90.00%, and certain new governance and cashflow arrangements, as described in more detail in the Annual Report and other publications of the Company.
Pursuant to the terms of the Restructuring the interest accrued on the SSNs and the SUNs from 1 January 2022. Accordingly, cash interest accrued to 9 February 2023 in the amount of US\$17.5 million was paid to the Noteholders upon the issuance of the SSNs and the SUNs. The next semi-annual cash interest payment is scheduled for 30 June 2023.
Following completion of the Restructuring, the Company's Financial guarantee decreased in line with a reduction in the Group's borrowings.
End of Document
On 10 March 2023, the Company announced that it is has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLC ("Positive Invest"), which holds the subsoil use right to the contract No. 25 for estimation, development and production of hydrocarbons for the area "Kamenskoe" and the development area "Kamensko-Teplovsko-Tokarevskoe" (the "Stepnoy Leopard Fields") in the West Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 3 March 1995 for US\$20 million (less a modest amount of debt owed to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A).
The Proposed Acquisition will enable Nostrum to tie-in further resources in the region that can be processed at the Company's gas treatment facilities. An affiliate of the Company shall be appointed as the operator of the Positive Invest Contract.
Parent company financial statements
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC Annual Report & Accounts 2022 177
Notes to the parent company financial statements (continued)
16. Events after the reporting period
On 9 February 2023 the Group notified that the Restructuring was implemented pursuant to the terms of the Scheme sanctioned by the Court on 26 August 2022. The terms of the Restructuring included the sub-division and consolidation of the ordinary share capital of the Company following the issue of the new shares on 9 February 2023. This sub-division and share consolidation occurred after close of business on 9 February 2023 and resulted in the number of Ordinary Shares on issue being reduced from approximately 1,693.8 million Ordinary Shares (following the issue of the new shares ) to approximately 169.4 million Ordinary Shares on the basis of a 10:1 consolidation of ordinary shares. Accordingly, on 10 February 2023, 150,563,304 new Ordinary Shares have been admitted to the standard listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "NOG.L". The Company's ordinary shares (including the New Shares) were also admitted to listing and trading on the Astana International Exchange (AIX) on 13 February 2023. The new warrants were not admitted to listing and trading on the AIX. The New Notes and the New Warrants were also admitted to listing and trading on The International Stock Exchange (TISE) with effect from 9 February 2023. No new
As a result of implementation of the restructuring a portion of the Group's Notes were exchanged for US\$250 million of SSNs and US\$345 million of SUNs, while remainder of the Existing Notes together with accrued but unpaid interest were converted into fully paid ordinary shares (the "New Shares"), resulting in the Noteholders holding 88.89% of the Enlarged Share Capital of the Company. In addition, the New Warrants were issued to be held by the Warrant Trustee on behalf of the holders of the SUNs from time to time, exercisable in full by a majority of such holders upon the occurrence of certain events to increase their holding of the Company's Enlarged Share Capital to 90.00%, and certain new governance and cashflow arrangements, as described in more detail in the Annual
Pursuant to the terms of the Restructuring the interest accrued on the SSNs and the SUNs from 1 January 2022. Accordingly, cash interest accrued to 9 February 2023 in the amount of US\$17.5 million was paid to the Noteholders upon the issuance of the SSNs and the SUNs. The next semi-annual cash interest payment is
Following completion of the Restructuring, the Company's Financial guarantee
On 10 March 2023, the Company announced that it is has agreed, subject to certain conditions, to acquire 80% of Positive Invest LLC ("Positive Invest"), which holds the subsoil use right to the contract No. 25 for estimation, development and production of hydrocarbons for the area "Kamenskoe" and the development area "Kamensko-Teplovsko-Tokarevskoe" (the "Stepnoy Leopard Fields") in the West Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated 3 March 1995 for US\$20 million (less a modest amount of debt owed to Nostrum Oil & Gas Coöperatief
The Proposed Acquisition will enable Nostrum to tie-in further resources in the region that can be processed at the Company's gas treatment facilities. An affiliate of the Company shall be appointed as the operator of the Positive Invest Contract.
decreased in line with a reduction in the Group's borrowings.
Completion of the Restructuring
securities were listed on the Euronext Dublin.
Report and other publications of the Company.
Acquisition of Stepnoy Leopard Fields
scheduled for 30 June 2023.
U.A).
End of Document
Investor Relations [email protected] Tel: +44 20 3740 7430
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC 20 Eastbourne Terrace London W2 6LG United Kingdom Tel: +44 20 3740 7430 Registered number: 8717287 Place of registration: England and Wales VAT GB302 9250 35
Zhaikmunai LLP 43/1 Alexander Karev Street Uralsk, 090000 Republic of Kazakhstan Tel: +7 7112 933900 Fax: +7 7112 933901
MHA LLP 2 London Wall Place Barbican, London EC2Y 5AU United Kingdom
Link Group 10th Floor, Central Square, 29 Wellington Street Leeds LS1 4DL United Kingdom Tel: +44 371 664 0391
Activity: Holding Company Registered office and principal place of business: Bloemendaalseweg 139 Hofstede Sparrenheuvel 2061 CH Bloemendaal The Netherlands
Directors: Thomas Hartnett Ulugbek Makhmadiyarov
Activity: Holding Company Registered office and
principal place of business: Bloemendaalseweg 139 Hofstede Sparrenheuvel
2061 CH Bloemendaal The Netherlands
Ulugbek Makhmadiyarov Thomas Hartnett
Activity: Finance Company Registered office and principal place of business: Bloemendaalseweg 139 Hofstede Sparrenheuvel 2061 CH Bloemendaal The Netherlands
Ulugbek Makhmadiyarov Thomas Hartnett
Activity: Holding Company Registered office and principal place of business: Chaussée de Wavre 20 1360 Perwez Belgium
Thomas Hartnett BVBA Ulugbek Makhmadiyarov
Activity: Dormant Registered office and principal place of business: 43B Karev Street 090000 Uralsk Republic of Kazakhstan
General Director: Malika Saudasheva
Activity: Dormant Registered office and principal place of business: 20 Eastbourne Terrace London W2 6LG United Kingdom
Martin Cocker Thomas Hartnett
Activity: Dormant Registered office and principal place of business: Building 75/38 Microrayon Aksay 3a 050031 Almaty Republic of Kazakhstan
General Director: Kalamkas Shakenova
Activity: Holding company Registered office and principal place of business: 20 Eastbourne Terrace London W2 6LG United Kingdom
Ulugbek Makhmadiyarov Thomas Hartnett
Nostrum's website provides information on the activities of the Company, both regulatory and other, as well as the opportunity to sign up to our mailing list to ensure stakeholders are kept up to date with the most recent information. Please see www.nog.co.uk for more information.
In addition, to reduce our impact on the environment, we encourage all shareholders to opt for electronic shareholder communications, including annual reports and notices of meetings.
| Exchange | London Stock Exchange |
|---|---|
| Ticker | NOG.LN |
| Reuters code | NOGN.L |
| ISIN code | GB00BQVVS097 |
Capitalisation-weighted index of FTSE 350 E&P.
Earnings per share (as at 31 December 2022): US\$(0.14)/share
Book value per share (as at 31 December 2022): US\$(4.44) negative per share
| Q1 2023 | Operational update | 28 April 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 2023 | Financial results | 31 May 2023 |
| H1 2023 | Operational update | 28 July 2023 |
| H1 2023 | Financial results | 22 August 2023 |
| Q3 2023 | Operational update | 27 October 2023 |
| Q3 2023 | Financial results | 21 November 2023 |
| Equity raising | Timing | Amount | Lead manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPO | March 2008 | US\$100m | ING Bank NB |
| Secondary equity issue | September 2009 | US\$300m | ING Bank NV |
| Mirabaud Securities | |||
| Renaissance Securities |

Current outstanding bond issues for Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC are detailed in the following table:
| Settlement | Maturity | Currency | Amount (m) | Coupon | Listing | RegS | Rule 144A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 2017 | Jul 2022 | US\$ | 725 | 8.000% | Dublin | CUSIP | N64884AB0 | 66978CAB8 |
| ISIN | USN64884AB02 | US66978CAB81 | ||||||
| Common Code | 16453439 | 164534073 | ||||||
| Feb 2018 | Feb 2025 | US\$ | 400 | 7.000% | Dublin | CUSIP | N64884AD6 | 66978CAC6 |
| ISIN | USN64884AD67 | US66978CAC64 | ||||||
| Common Code | 176959886 | 176959878 |
For a summary of certain covenants relating to the 2017 and 2018 Notes, please see the consolidated financial statements.
Outstanding bond issues as at 9 February 2023 for Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC are detailed in the following table:
| Title | Settlement | Maturity | Currency | Amount (m) | Coupon | PIK | Listing | RegS | Rule 144A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SSN | Feb 2023 | Jun 2026 | US\$ | 250 | 5.000% | – | TISE | CUSIP | N64884AF1 | 66978CAF9 |
| ISIN | USN64884AF16 | US66978CAF95 | ||||||||
| SUN | Feb 2023 | Jun 2026 | US\$ | 300 | 1.000% | 13.000% | TISE | CUSIP | N64884AE4 | 66978CAD4 |
| ISIN | USN64884AE41 | US66978CAD48 |
Bond issues wholly owned by Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance BV are provided in the following table:
| Settlement | Maturity | Currency | Amount (m) | Coupon | Listing | RegS | Rule 144A | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2014 | Jan 2033 | US\$ | 400 | 9.5% | Dublin/ | CUSIP | N64884AA2 | 66978CAA0 |
| Almaty ISIN |
USN64884AA29 | US66978CAA09 | ||||||
| Common Code | 103302323 | 103302307 | ||||||
| Nov 2012 | Jun 2033 | US\$ | 560 | 9.5% | Dublin/ | CUSIP | N97716AA7 | 98953VAA0 |
| Almaty | ISIN | USN97716AA72 | US98953VAA08 | |||||
| Common Code | 085313177 | 085259776 |
Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC is currently being rated by two credit rating agencies: Standard and Poor's and Moody's Investor Services:
| Agency | Rating | Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Standard and Poor's | SD | NM |
| Moody's | Ca | Negative |
Zhaikmunai LLP is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Nostrum and its equity is not listed, while Nostrum's equity is listed on the standard segment of the London Stock Exchange.
The Group's investor relations programme aims to develop open and transparent communication between the Group (including Zhaikmunai LLP) and its shareholders, providing information about the financial and operational performance of the Company. The Investor Relations department of the Group seeks to ensure all questions received from any of the Group's stakeholders are dealt with in a timely manner based on the underlying principle that the Group is approachable and responsive to any potential queries.


NOSTRUM FINANCE BV 8.0% 25-JUL-2022

| 2010 Notes | 10.500% notes issued in 2010. |
|---|---|
| 2012 Notes | 7.125% notes issued in 2012. |
| 2014 Notes | 6.375% notes issued in 2014. |
| 2017 Notes | 8.000% notes issued in 2017. |
| 2018 Notes | 7.000% notes issued in 2018. |
| A | |
| API | American Petroleum Institute. |
| API gravity | The industry standard method of expressing specific density of crude oil or other liquid hydrocarbons as recommended by the American Petroleum Institute. Higher API gravities mean lower specific gravity and lighter oils. When the API gravity is greater than 10, the product is lighter and floats on water; when it is less than 10, it is heavier than water and sinks. Generally speaking, oil with an API gravity between 40 and 45 commands the highest prices. |
| appraisal well | A well or wells drilled to follow up a discovery and evaluate its commercial potential. |
| associated gas | Gas which occurs in crude oil reservoirs in a gaseous state. |
| B | |
| barrel/bbl | The standard unit of volume: 1 barrel = 159 litres or 42 US gallons. |
| basin | A large area holding a thick accumulation of sedimentary rock. |
| bcm | Billion cubic metres. |
| Boe | Barrels of (crude) oil equivalent, i.e. the factor used by Nostrum to convert volumes of different hydrocarbon production to barrels of oil equivalent. |
| Boepd | Barrels of (crude) oil equivalent per day. |
| Bopd | Barrels of crude oil per day. |
| C | |
| C1 | Methane. |
| C2 | Ethane. |
| C3 | Propane. |
| C4 | Butane. |
| C5 | Pentane. |
| C6 | Hexane. |
| C7 | Heptane. |
| CAC | A pipeline with two branches originating in Turkmenistan and meeting in Kazakhstan before crossing into Russia and connecting to the Russian pipeline system, with an annual throughput capacity of 60.2 billion cubic metres. |
| Cash | Cash and cash equivalents, including current and non-current investments. |
| Casing | Relatively thin-walled, large diameter steel rods that are screwed together to form a casing string, which is run into a core hole or well and cemented in place. |
| Caspian region | Parts of countries adjacent to the Caspian Sea. |
| CDP | CDP is an organisation based in the United Kingdom which supports companies in disclosing their environmental impact (formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project). |
| Chinarevskoye field | The Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field. |
| CO2 | Carbon dioxide. |
| commissioning | Process to assure a facility or plant, such as Nostrum's GTU 3, is tested to verify it functions according to technical objectives and specifications before use. |
| Competent Authority | The State's central executive agency, designated by the Government to act on behalf of the State to exercise rights relating to the execution and performance of subsoil use contracts, except for contracts for exploration and production of commonly occurring minerals. This is the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan ("MOE") with respect to the oil and gas industry. |
| condensate | Hydrocarbons which are gaseous in a reservoir, but which condense to form a liquid as they rise to the surface where the pressure is much less. |
| contingent resources | Deposits that are estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from known accumulations but that are not currently considered commercially recoverable. |
| cost oil | Cost oil denotes an amount of crude oil produced in respect of which the market value is equal to Nostrum's monthly expenses that may be deducted pursuant to the PSA (q.v.) (including all operating costs, exploration costs and development costs up to an annual maximum of 90% of the annual gross realised value of hydrocarbon production). |
| crude oil | A mixture of liquid hydrocarbons of different molecular weights. |
| D | |
|---|---|
| development | During development, engineering teams design the most efficient development options to build wells and associated infrastructure to produce hydrocarbons from a gas field within a proven productive reservoir (as defined by exploration and appraisal activities). The three phases of development are exploration and appraisal, development and production. |
| downstream | Downstream refers to all petroleum operations occurring after delivery of crude oil or gas to a refinery or fractionation plant. |
| Development Plans | The development plans approved by the SCFD in March 2009. |
| Directors or Board | The Directors of the Company. |
| dry gas | Dry gas is natural gas (methane and ethane) with no significant content of heavier hydrocarbons. It is gaseous at both sub-surface and surface conditions. |
| E | |
| E&P | Exploration and production. |
| EBITDA | Profit before tax + non-recurring expenses + finance costs + foreign exchange loss /(gain) + employee share option adjustments + depreciation – interest income + other expenses / (income). |
| Environmental Code | The Kazakhstan Environment Code (No. 212, dated 9 January 2007, as amended). |
| Exploration Permit | The geological allotment (Annex to the Licence) issued by the Competent Authority to Zhaikmunai LLP. |
| exploration phase | The phase of operations which covers the search for oil or gas by carrying out detailed geological and geophysical surveys, followed up where appropriate by exploratory drilling. |
| exploration well | Well drilled purely for exploratory (information-gathering) purposes in a particular area. |
| F | |
| farm-in | Transfer of a percentage of an oil or gas permit held by the farmor in return for (partial or complete) delivery of the work programme by the farmee(s). Note that this work would normally have had to have been delivered and paid for by the farmor. |
| farm-out | A contractual agreement with the holder of an oil and gas permit to assign all (or a percentage of) that interest to another party in exchange for delivering the work programme required by the permit, or fulfilling other contractually specified conditions. |
| FCA | Financial Conduct Authority of the United Kingdom. |
| FCA Uralsk | Sales made under free carrier terms according to which Nostrum delivers to the terminal in Uralsk and transportation risk and risk of loss are transferred to the buyer after delivery to the carrier. |
| field | An area consisting of a single reservoir or multiple reservoirs all grouped in or related to the same individual geological structure feature and/or stratigraphic condition. |
| FOB | Sales made under "free on board" terms. |
| FSU | Former Soviet Union. |
| G | |
| G&A | General and administrative expenses. |
| gas | Petroleum that consists principally of light hydrocarbons. It can be divided into lean gas, primarily methane, but often containing some ethane and smaller quantities of heavier hydrocarbons (also called sales gas), and wet gas, primarily ethane, propane and butane, as well as smaller amounts of heavier hydrocarbons; partially liquid under atmospheric pressure. |
| gas condensate | The mixture of liquid hydrocarbons that results from condensation of petroleum hydrocarbons existing initially in a gaseous phase in an underground reservoir. |
| Gas Treatment Facility (GTF) | Facility for the treatment of associated gas and gas condensate resulting in different products (stabilised condensate, LPG and dry gas) for commercial sales. |
| GTU 1 means the first unit of Nostrum's Gas Treatment Facility. | |
| GTU 2 means the second unit of Nostrum's Gas Treatment Facility. | |
| GTU 3 means the third unit of Nostrum's Gas Treatment Facility. | |
| GDRs | The global depository receipts of Nostrum Oil & Gas LP. |
| greenhouse gas | A gas that contributes to the greenhouse effect by absorbing infrared radiation, e.g. carbon dioxide. |
| Group | Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC and, as the context requires, its direct and indirect consolidated subsidiaries. |
| H | |
| HSE | Health, safety and environment. |
| hydrocarbons | Compounds formed from the elements hydrogen (H) and carbon (C), which may be in solid, liquid or gaseous form. |
| hydrocarbon reserves | Hydrocarbon reserves that have been proved, and are referred to as 3P, 2P and 1P depending on the likelihood of commercial production from a given field. |
| I | |
|---|---|
| IAS | International Accounting Standards. |
| IFRS | International Financial Reporting Standards. |
| INED | Independent Non-Executive Director. |
| J | |
| joint venture | A joint venture is a set of trading entities who have agreed to act in concert to share the cost and rewards of exploring for and producing oil or gas from a permit. |
| joule | Unit of energy used for measuring gas volumes. |
| megajoules = 106 | |
| gigajoules = 109 | |
| terrajoules = 1012 | |
| petajoules = 1015 | |
| K | |
| KASE | Kazakhstan Stock Exchange. |
| Kazakhstan | The Republic of Kazakhstan. |
| KazMunaiGas | State-owned oil and gas company of Kazakhstan. |
| KazMunaiGas Exploration Production ("KMG EP") |
Onshore oil and gas exploration production subsidiary of KazMunaiGas. |
| KazTransOil (KTO) pipeline | A tie-in to the KTO pipeline enables crude oil export sales via the Atyrau-Samara international export pipeline. |
| L | |
| Licence | Licence series MG No. 253-D (Oil) issued to Zhaikmunai LLP by the Government on 26 May 1997, including amendments. |
| Licensing Law | The Kazakhstan Law "On Licensing" (No. 214, dated 11 January 2007, as amended, which came into effect on 9 August 2007). |
| liquids | A sales product in liquid form produced as a result of further processing by the onshore plant; for example, condensate and LPG. |
| LNG | Liquefied natural gas. Comprises mainly methane. |
| Listing Rules | The listing rules made by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) under section 73A of the FSMA. |
| LSE | London Stock Exchange. |
| LPG | Liquefied petroleum gas, the name given to the mix of propane and butane in its liquid state. |
| LTIP | Long-term incentive plan. |
| M | |
| m | Metre(s). |
| m3 | Cubic metres. |
| m3/d | Cubic metres per day. |
| Man–hour | An hour regarded in terms of the amount of work that can be done by one person within this period. |
| Mboe | Thousands of barrels of oil equivalent. |
| Mechanical completion | Final construction or installation phase, after which a facility can undergo commissioning activities. |
| Mmbbls | Millions of barrels of oil. |
| Mmboe | Millions of barrels of oil equivalent. |
| N | |
| NBK | National Bank of Kazakhstan. |
| NED | Non-Executive Director. |
| Nostrum | Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC, the listed company of the Group. |
| Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC | Registered Office: 9th Floor 20 Eastbourne Terrace London W2 6LG United Kingdom |
| O | |
| OPEC | The Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. |
| operator | The individual or company responsible for conducting oil and gas exploration, development and production activities on an oil and gas lease or concession on its own behalf and/or if applicable, for other working interest owners, generally pursuant to the terms of a joint operating agreement or comparable agreement. |
| P | |
|---|---|
| Partnership | Nostrum Oil & Gas LP, which was the holding company of the Group before the reorganisation. |
| PCR testing | Polymerase chain reaction testing, a test for COVID-19. |
| petroleum | Hydrocarbons, whether solid, liquid or gaseous. The proportion of different compounds in a petroleum find varies from discovery to discovery. If a reservoir primarily contains light hydrocarbons, it is described as a gas field. If heavier hydrocarbons predominate, it is called an oil field. An oil field may feature free gas above the oil and contain a quantity of light hydrocarbons, also called associated gas. |
| Possible Reserves (3P) | Possible Reserves are those reserves that, to a low degree of certainty (10% confidence), are recoverable. There is relatively high risk associated with these reserves. Proven, Probable and Possible Reserves are referred to as 3P. |
| Probable Reserves (2P) | Probable Reserves are those reserves that analysis of geological and engineering data suggests are more likely than not to be recoverable. There is at least a 50% probability that reserves recovered will exceed Probable Reserves. Proven plus Probable Reserves are referred to as 2P. |
| processing | Processing of saleable product from hydrocarbons sourced from oil wells and gas wells. |
| Production Permit | The mining allotment (Annex to the Licence), issued by the Competent Authority to Zhaikmunai LLP. |
| production well | A well that has been drilled for producing oil or gas, or one that is capable of production once the producing structure and characteristics are determined. |
| Profit oil | Profit oil is the difference between cost oil and the total amount of crude oil produced each month, which is shared between the State and Zhaikmunai LLP. |
| Prospective resources | Quantities of petroleum which are estimated, on a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations. |
| Proven Reserves (1P) | Proven or Proved Reserves (1P) are those reserves that, to a high degree of certainty (90% confidence), are recoverable. There is relatively little risk associated with these reserves. Proven Developed Reserves are reserves that can be recovered from existing wells with existing infrastructure and operating methods. Proven Undeveloped Reserves require development. |
| PRMS | 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System, which is a set of definitions and guidelines designed to provide a common reference for the international petroleum industry, sponsored by the Society for Petroleum Engineers, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, the World Petroleum Council and the Society for Petroleum Evaluation Engineers. |
| Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) |
The contract for additional exploration, production and production sharing of crude oil hydrocarbons in the Chinarevskoye oil and gas condensate field in the West-Kazakhstan oblast No. 81, dated October 31 1997, as amended, between Zhaikmunai LLP and the Competent Authority (currently MOE), representing the State. |
| PSA Law | Kazakhstan Law No. 68-III "On Production Sharing Agreements for Constructing Offshore Petroleum Operations", dated 8 July 2005. |
| Q | |
| QHSE | Quality, Health, Safety and the Environment. |
| R | |
| recovery | The second stage of hydrocarbon production during which an external fluid such as water or gas is injected into the reservoir to maintain reservoir pressure and displace hydrocarbons towards the wellbore. |
| Reservoir | A porous and permeable underground formation containing a natural accumulation of producible oil and/or gas that is confined by impermeable rock or water barriers, and is individual and separate from other reservoirs. |
| RoK | Republic of Kazakhstan. |
| Royalty | An interest in an oil and gas property entitling the owner to a share of oil or gas production free of costs of production. |
| Ryder Scott | Independent petroleum consultants Ryder Scott Company LP, headquartered at 621 Seventeenth Street, Suite 1550, Denver, Colorado, 80293, USA. |
S
| sales gas | Natural gas that has been processed by gas plant facilities and meets the required specifications under gas sales agreements. |
|---|---|
| seismic | The use of shock waves generated by controlled explosions of dynamite or other means to ascertain the nature and contours of underground geological structures. |
| shut in | Cease production from a well. |
| side-track well | A well or borehole that runs partly to one side of the original line of drilling. |
| social infrastructure | Assets that accommodate social services, e.g. hospitals, schools, community housing etc. |
| spud | The commencement of drilling operations. |
| stakeholder | A person or entity who may affect, be affected by or perceive themselves to be affected by an entity's decisions or activities. |
| State | Republic of Kazakhstan. |
| State share | The share of hydrocarbon production due (in cash or kind) to the Republic of Kazakhstan under the PSA (q.v.). |
| Suspended well | A suspended well is not currently used for assessment or production and has been shut in. It will either be returned to assessment or production, or will be plugged and abandoned. |
| T | |
| TCFD | Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. |
| TISE | The International Stock Exchange |
| tenge or KZT | The lawful currency of the Republic of Kazakhstan. |
| tonne | Metric tonne. |
| trillion | 10 to the power of 12. |
| U | |
| UNGG | Refers to the Uralsk Oil and Gas Explorations Expedition. The Government of the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic decided in March 1960 to create a consortium "Uralskneftegazrazvedka" for conducting oil and gas exploration in the Uralsk region. In the 1960s, the consortium was involved in more than 59 exploration projects. In 1970, the consortium was renamed "Uralsk Enlarged Oil-Gas Exploration Expedition". |
| UK Corporate Governance Code | Set of principles of good corporate governance for listed companies promulgated by the UK Financial Reporting Council. |
| Ural O&G | Ural Oil&Gas LLP |
| W | |
| well | A hole drilled to test an unknown reservoir or to produce from a known reservoir. |
| wellhead | The wellhead includes the forged or cast steel fitting on top of a well (welded or bolted to the top of the surface casing), as well as casingheads, tubingheads, Christmas tree, stuffing box and pressure gauges. |
| work programme | A schedule of works agreed between parties (permit holders, farmees and government) contracted to be delivered in a defined timeframe. |
| workover | Routine maintenance or remedial operations on a producing well in order to maintain, restore or increase production. |
| WUP or Water Use Permit | The permit granted by the relevant government authority with respect to water use pursuant to the Water Code. |
| Z | |
| Zhaikmunai LLP | Principal operating entity of the Group |
| Corporate office: 43/1 Karev str. Uralsk, 090000 Republic of Kazakhstan |

Apart from the external debt held by Nostrum Oil & Gas Finance B.V, the contribution and results of Nostrum Oil & Gas PLC and all of its subsidiaries (other than Zhaikmunai LLP) to the KPIs and results of the Group were insignificant. Except as stated above, there are no minority shareholdings.
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