Serica Energy announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Serica Energy (UK) and BP have received a conditional License and assurance from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control ('OFAC') relating to the UK North Sea Rhum field.  Subject to the fulfilment of the conditions, the License will allow certain U.S. and U.S.-owned or controlled entities to provide goods, services and support involving Rhum. OFAC has also provided an assurance that non-U.S. entities providing goods, services and support involving Rhum will not be exposed to U.S. secondary sanctions.  These OFAC actions will enable production from the Rhum field to continue unaffected.  Following previous practice, the OFAC License is valid until 31 October 2019, but may be renewed (together with the assurance) on application by Serica UK assuming the conditions continue to be met.

The License and assurance are conditional upon arrangements being put in place by 4 November 2018 relating to the interest in the Rhum field held by Iranian Oil Company (U.K.) Limited ('IOC').  These arrangements are well advanced and will provide that all benefits accruing from and relating to IOC's interest in the Rhum field will be held in escrow for such period as U.S. sanctions apply and ensure that neither IOC nor any direct or indirect parent company of IOC will derive any economic benefit from the Rhum field during that period.  IOC will also exercise no decision-making powers in respect of Rhum during the same period.

Receipt of the License and assurance fulfils a major condition of the sale and purchase agreement announced in November 2017 under which Serica UK will acquire BP's interests1 in the Bruce, Keith and Rhum fields ("the BKR Transaction").  Serica UK and BP are now able to put in place the final arrangements to complete the BKR Transaction and for Serica UK and Total to complete the related transaction announced in August 2018 under which Serica UK will acquire Total's non-operated interests1 in the Bruce and Keith fields.

For operational reasons, the transition of operatorship must take place at the start or end of the month and the actual date must be fixed sufficiently in advance.  Taking these factors into account, BP and Serica UK have agreed on 30 November as the revised completion date for the BKR Transaction.  Although slightly later than the previously announced target of early November, this will enable the arrangements required by OFAC to be put in place prior to completion and ensure an orderly, safe and efficient transition.

Mitch Flegg, Chief Executive of Serica Energy, commented:
"The receipt of the License and assurance from OFAC is an important step towards ensuring the integrity of ongoing operations from this important North Sea field which makes a significant contribution to UK indigenous gas production.  We welcome the constructive approach taken by all parties.  This outcome protects a valuable British asset which, together with the Bruce and Keith fields, produces about 5% of UK offshore gas production.

Serica is now able to move forward to completing the BP and Total transactions, allowing us to focus on optimising the full performance of the Bruce, Keith and Rhum fields, extend production life where possible and ensure maximum economic recovery of remaining reserves to the UK's benefit.  With all parties committed to completion, Serica is close to fulfilling its objective of becoming a leading UK independent offshore operator and producer and looks forward to welcoming the operations and onshore staff joining Serica from BP."