Each one in plain English, with the numbers worked through for a shareholder.
18 May 2009investor presentation● Neutral
Presentation behind the A$21.3 million raising: Galilee, Mahalo and Greymouth (NZ) named key projects, with Galilee's potential 36 TCF gas in place. Says the Chartwell merger was approved 16 April and added about A$7 million cash. Largely repeats known facts.
Offer booklet for the 1-for-5 entitlement offer at A$0.27 per share, to raise about A$13.8 million, underwritten by Wilson HTM. Closes 18 June 2009. It repeats the terms already announced.
ESG's bimonthly report confirms Kurrabooma-1 reached 439 m with about 4.6 m of gassy coal and was plugged and abandoned as planned. The rest covers ESG's Narrabri wells. COI holds 20% of PEL 428.
Kurrabooma-1 reached 438.7 m on 17 April with about 4 m of net coal and visible free gas. Gas volumes will be measured over coming months. This completes the two-well Gunnedah program; COI holds 20% of PEL 428.
Eastern Star Gas's bimonthly report is mostly about its own Narrabri wells. It notes Kurrabooma-1 coring ahead at 362 m in PEL 428, where COI holds 20%. No new result for COI.
Kurrabooma-1 corehole in PEL 428 started on 3 April and was setting surface casing at 64 m. It is a 400 m well and the first real test of this area. COI holds 20%; ESG pays.
Greenpower, which holds 20% of PEL 428 alongside COI's 20%, announces Kurrabooma-1 drilling has started. A third-party repeat of known information, with no new result.
Moree-4 reached 495 m with about 5 m of net coal and gas freely desorbing, but a drill stem test recorded no gas blow. Orion says the coals were thinner than expected. COI holds 25% of PEL 427. Kurrabooma-1 is next.
Moree-4 was coring at 394 m on 22 March, with only minor coal so far. Operational problems since 16 March are fixed. Total depth of 500 m is expected in 2-3 days. COI holds 25%.
Chartwell's Painkiller Creek-1C was plugged and abandoned at 507 m because the Brunner coal measures were not developed. A second dry well for the merger partner, which is not yet part of Comet Ridge. Data will be analysed over coming weeks.
Half-year report to 31 December 2008 restates the Chartwell merger, with about A$7 million cash expected at completion. COI drew A$1 million in convertible notes from Chartwell on 17 February, maturing 9 February 2010. Gunnedah coreholes began 8 March; Florence holds at 140 barrels a day.
Orion says Moree-4 in PEL 427 began drilling on 8 March after wet-weather delays; a 500 m well. Kurrabooma-1 in PEL 428 follows with the same rig. COI holds 25% and 20% respectively. No result yet.
Cover note passing on that merger partner Chartwell spudded Painkiller Creek-1C in New Zealand's South Island on 7 March, planned to 540 m, targeting Brunner coal measures. Chartwell holds 60%. Not yet a Comet Ridge asset.
Eastern Star Gas is about to spud Moree-4 in PEL 427, the first of three farm-in coreholes it funds. COI holds 25% of PEL 427. ESG's own estimate is a high-side 3,500 PJ across the three permits. Third-party notice.
US partner Pine Brook invests another US$4.47 million in Comet Ridge Resources, funding seismic, leases, second-quarter drilling preparation and costs. Its stake rises to 76.37%, and COI's holding falls to 23.12% from about 27%.
Chartwell's Matata-1C in New Zealand was plugged and abandoned at 472 metres because the Waikato coal measures appear not sufficiently developed there. A dry first well for the merger partner, which is not yet part of Comet Ridge. The rig moves to Painkiller Creek-1C.
Both companies confirmed on 23 February that due diligence is complete, satisfying that condition of the Chartwell merger. Notice of meeting is due early March, with the shareholder vote expected early April 2009.
Chartwell, the proposed merger partner, spudded Matata-1C in New Zealand's North Island, planned to 375 metres. Rig then moves to Painkiller Creek-1C in the South Island. Chartwell operates both permits with 60%. Not yet a Comet Ridge asset.
Comet Ridge agrees to merge with unlisted Chartwell Energy, which has about A$8m cash and New Zealand coal seam gas permits. Chartwell holders get about 128m shares, 55% of the merged company. Tor McCaul becomes MD; Lydyard and Drobnack leave. Shareholder vote expected late March. This answers the funding problem.
Partner Orion says the two Gunnedah coreholes, Moree-4 in PEL 427 and Kurrabooma-1 in PEL 428, start in February, run by Eastern Star Gas. Comet Ridge holds 25% of PEL 427 and 20% of PEL 428. Third-party notice; no new result.
Florence's three wells are averaging 140 barrels a day, and more drilling is planned for the second quarter. Board expects to agree Australian funding within weeks. Galilee grant is expected in Q1 2009; Gunnedah drilling is due in early February.
Native title agreement signed 22 November for ATP 743, one of the two Galilee permits; formal grant is awaited, and ATP 744 talks are advanced. Farm-in talks continue. Two Gunnedah core holes are due January 2009, leaving COI with 25% in PEL 427 and 20% in PEL 428.
Managing Director Bradshaw resigned after about 10 weeks, with no termination payment, and Chairman Schneider becomes Executive Chairman. Cash is about A$750,000; the board says the October market collapse stalled farm-in partners and equity raising. Non-executive directors forgo fees; Bradshaw option resolutions withdrawn.
First Florence flow numbers: Golden, Apache and Rainbow together make about 127 barrels of oil a day on test. Galilee native title signings are scheduled for late November, and Gunnedah core holes follow, leaving COI with 20% in PEL 428 and 24% in PEL 427.
AGM address repeats the Bradshaw resignation, Schneider as Executive Chairman and A$750,000 cash. Adds that cost cuts let the company run at least a year without new capital. Preferred plan is Australian JV partners and an equity raise.
AGM presentation repeats known facts: three Florence wells producing about 127 barrels a day, COI at about 27% of CRR, Galilee potential estimated at 35+ TCF in place, and Mahalo at about 1 TCF. No new announcements.
2007-08 annual report restates the Pine Brook deal: up to US$100m for the US business, with COI expecting to hold 20% of Comet Ridge Resources after about 18 months. Chair says Bradshaw will seek project-level funding for Australian permits via farm-downs.
Golden, Apache and Rainbow wells are completed; pumps and surface facilities are being installed and production testing should start later this week. Volumes will be reported after about 30 days, so no flow rates yet.
Bull 42-4 was temporarily abandoned at 4,267 feet with casing set at 2,998 feet, because water flow from the Dakota Sands prevented drilling deeper. Oil was seen in Codell core. It is the first Florence setback after three wells with shows.