25 May 2012

Spanish sell Petroceltic stake

18/01/2010 Robert Tyerman

Spanish utility Iberdrola has sold its 16 per cent stake in North Africa-focused Petroceltic International for £34.6 million.

Dublin-based Petroceltic, whose natural gas prospects in Algeria alone are estimated at between two and five trillion cubic feet, says the shares were placed with the help of its brokers Mirabaud and Davy with existing and new shareholders at 16p. That represented a 1p premium over the previous closing price, though the price has eased since, and a 3p-a-share profit for Iberdrola, which bought its stake in 2008 but is now in the process of disposing of £2.25 billion of ‘non-core’ assets.

Iberdrola’s representative Pablo Fuentes-Cantillana has resigned from the board of Petroceltic, which has also agreed to repay the Spanish company a £4.5 million option fee for the right to take a 49 per cent stake in any of Petroceltic’s upstream assets. Sean O’Cathain, chief executive of the AIM-quoted company, expresses ‘delight that the principal shareholders in Petroceltic have expressed their strong support by acquiring the Iberdrola stake at a premium to the market’.

He says the company is working to realise ‘upside value’ over the coming year. According to O’Cathain, recent drilling in Algeria has demonstrated ‘the presence of a very large gas accumulation, capable of flowing at rates exceeding 30 million cubic feet a day per well’.

Recommended by Growth Company Investor at 9p in May, Petroceltic shares, which have swung between 3.4p and 19p over the past year, now trade at 14.75p, valuing the company at £203 million. Partial profit taking might be prudent, while retaining some for potential future growth.

Tags: AIM, Boardroom moves, Deals & contracts

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Petroceltic

Achieve impressive returns

Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena

Click here

Achieve impressive returns on the go

Gain instant access to some of the best-performing and fastest growing companies in the small cap arena. Sign up NOW!

Institutional Investors in AIM 2011 - New Report

This unique study analyses the shareholdings of companies listed on AIM, extracting trends including rankings of the value and number of their investments.
Please click here to order your copy of the report or call 0207 250 7056.

Coverage of AIM, techMARK and PLUS Markets

Informative features and research on fast-growing companies, small-cap and growth stocks, penny shares, stock market tips and share recommendations, directors' dealings, company news and analysis, new issues and upcoming IPOs.

If you're interested in business tax updates visit our specialist tax guide website.

Latest small-cap and growth company news

Daily coverage of small-cap company stocks on London's junior markets AIM and PLUS, breaking news, stock research and latest share price information for investors. Full sector coverage with all the latest news on smaller listed companies, updated several times a day with financial reports, trading statements and links to further web resources.

Popular News

Latest News

Gulf starts at Sheikh Adi-2 25/05/2012

Iraq-focused oil explorer Gulf Keystone Petroleum (GKP) has begun drilling at the Sheikh Adi-2 well in the Sheikh Adi block.

Tags: Doing business in Iraq, Drilling on AIM, Oil on AIM

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Gulf Keystone Petroleum

Shell considers Cove 24/05/2012

Oil giant Shell is extending its offer period for Mozambique-focused Cove Energy (COV) after having its bid trumped by Thai government-owned PTT Exploration & Production.

Tags: Bid trumped, Doing business in Mozambique, Oil giants on AIM, Takeovers and bids

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Royal Dutch Shell 'A' , Cove Energy

Roxi reaches 1,360 metres 23/05/2012

Kazakhstan-focused Roxi Petroleum (RXP) has declared that its NK7 well in the Galaz aea has drilled to a depth of 1,360 metres.

Tags: AIM ventures, Doing business in Kazakhstan, Oil on AIM

Cluff Natural Resources joins AIM 22/05/2012

Steered by sector veteran Algy Cluff, North-Sea focused cash shell Cluff Natural Resources (CNR) has joined AIM.

Tags: Entrepreneurs on AIM, Gold mining, Oil and gas on AIM

Red Emperor exercises Shabeel 21/05/2012

Somalia-focused oil explorer Red Emperor Resources (RMP) has exercised its option to take part in the drilling of the Shabeel North well.

Tags: Business in the Puntland, Doing business in Somalia, Drilling for oil & gas, Oil on AIM

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Red Emperor Resources

Heritage happy in Iraq 18/05/2012

Oil concern Heritage Oil (HOIL) has reported its Miran West-3 well in Iraq could deliver 1,000 barrels per day of condensate.

Tags: Doing business in Iraq, Oil on the full list, Oil production, Target depth

Sector: Oil & Gas Producers

Companies: Heritage Oil

More News

Sectors