G3 Exploration Limited - Operational update

Green Dragon Gas Ltd (LON:GDG) announced that it has finalised agreements with CUCBM, a subsidiary of CNOOC and Green Dragon Gas Ltd (LON:GDG) partner in the GSS and GSN Blocks, which conclude eight years of discussions regarding Green Dragon Gas Ltd (LON:GDG) interest in the wells historically drilled by CUCBM in the two Blocks. These agreements confirm the respective interests of the partners as well as the amount of costs recovery resulting from CUCBM’s work programme for the period 2007-2014. Although we welcome this announcement, it is unclear from the RNS whether these agreements have an immediate impact on either GDG’s gas reserves or on future production, revenue and cash flows. We suspect most of the positive impact to be expressed in a closer future cooperation between the two partners focussed on the monetisation of gas resources, which should be positive for investors’ sentiment and have a positive impact on the share price. However, we keep our 221p valuation unchanged.

This announcement follows an earlier announcement by GDG (15/09/17) of the approval of a Project Code for the Overall Development Plan (ODP) on the GCZ block by the China National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), confirming its final approval. The Block is jointly operated by CNPC and GDG through a joint management team based in Jincheng, Shanxi. The development cost for GCZ will be c.US$53.8m over 2017 and 2018. CNPC will invest US$28.5m according to its 53% participating interest and GDG US$25.3m based on its 47% participating interest in the Block.

Green Dragon Gas Ltd (LON:GDG) announced its plans to list its production subsidiary on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange as a dividend in specie. This operation requires shareholders’ approval and a vote will take place at the AGM to be held on 20/12/17 at 11:00 am. We expect the details of the listing, in particular the shareholding structure of the listed entity as well as the amount of capital increase, to be released on this occasion. However, the intention is for the company to be debt free as a result which we take as a positive; we keep our 221p valuation unchanged.