20 April 2015
Revised Securities Dealing Policy
In accordance with ASX Listing Rule 12.10, Cooper Energy Limited provides the attached revised
Securities Dealing Policy for release to the market. The revised policy takes effect from 16 April 2015.
Further comment and information
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Alison Evans
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Company Secretary
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+61 8 8100 4900
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About Cooper Energy Limited (ASX:COE) is an ASX listed exploration and production company featuring low cost oil production, a growing portfolio of gas resources and exploration acreage and a management and Board team with a proven track record in building resource companies.
Cooper Energy conducts oil exploration and production in the Cooper and South Sumatra Basins and is building its gas portfolio to address emerging supply opportunities in Eastern Australia. The company has a strong balance sheet, enjoys strong cash flow and is executing a clear strategy driven by shareholder return. www.cooperenergy.com.au
Cooper Energy Limited Level 10, 60 Waymouth Street Phone: +61 8 8100 4900 [email protected] 1
ABN 93 096 170 295 Adelaide, South Australia 5000 Fax +61 8 8100 4997 www.cooperenergy.com.au
ASX: COE GPO Box 1819, Adelaide SA 5001
Securities Dealing Policy
1. Introduction
This policy applies to Cooper Energy Limited and all of its subsidiaries (Cooper Energy).
This policy imposes certain restrictions on dealing in Cooper Energy securities. It is intended to prevent breach of the Corporations Act prohibition on insider trading and to maintain market confidence in the integrity of dealings in Cooper Energy's securities.
2. Scope
This policy applies to:
• Cooper Energy key management personnel including directors alternate directors officers, senior executives and their closely related parties; and
• employees (and in certain circumstances, consultants and contractors) of Cooper Energy. References to securities in this policy includes Cooper Energy shares, any other securities which
may be issued by Cooper Energy from time to time (such as options) and financial products
issued or created by third parties in relation to Cooper Energy securities (including derivatives and products which limit the economic risk of holding securities in Cooper Energy).
Dealing in relation to securities is intended to be interpreted broadly. It includes acquiring or disposing of securities (or entering into an agreement to do so) or granting, accepting, acquiring, disposing of, exercising or discharging an option or a right or obligation to acquire or dispose of securities.
Closely related parties includes spouse, children, family companies and family trusts.
3. Insider trading prohibition
The Corporations Act prohibits dealing, or procuring other persons to deal, in securities of a company if you:
• possess inside information about the company; and
• know, or ought reasonably to know, that the information is inside information.
3.1. Inside information
Inside information is information about a company that is not generally available and that, if it were to be made generally available, would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the price or value of securities issued by the company.
Information is generally available if:
• it consists of readily observable matter; or
• it has been publicly disclosed by an announcement to ASX and a reasonable period for its dissemination among investors has elapsed; or
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• it consists of deductions, conclusions or inferences made or drawn from other generally available information.
Cooper Energy has legal obligations to immediately disclose to ASX all information which would reasonably be expected to have a material effect on the price or value of Cooper Energy securities. However, there are circumstances where information of this kind is not required to be disclosed (for example, where it relates to an incomplete proposal).
Inside information about Cooper Energy could include, for example:
• information relating to significant technical works relating to a hydrocarbon discovery or resources statement;
• information relating to significant projects or drilling operations;
• information relating to Cooper Energy's financial results or forecast results;
• a possible sale or acquisition, or disposal, of material assets;
• a possible change in capital structure (for example, a new issue of shares);
• board or senior management changes;
• an event which could have a material impact (either positively or negatively) on projects, production or profits;
• a proposed change in the nature of business;
• a proposed takeover or merger involving Cooper Energy;
• a proposed notification to ASX of a substantial shareholding in Cooper Energy;
• information to be disclosed to ASX under continuous disclosure rules; and
• any possible material claim against Cooper Energy or other unexpected liability.
It does not matter how or where you acquire the inside information, whether in the course of your work for Cooper Energy or outside of this.
In addition, if you possess inside information in relation to another company that Cooper Energy transacts with (such as a Cooper Energy joint venture partner), or is reasonably likely to transact with, you must not deal in the securities of that company.
3.2. Dealing in securities
Broadly, if you are in possession of any inside information about Cooper Energy, you must not:
• acquire or dispose of Cooper Energy securities (or enter into an agreement to do so) (even if you have received a clearance to trade in Cooper Energy securities from Cooper Energy);
• advise or procure another person to acquire or dispose of Cooper Energy securities; or
• pass on inside information to someone else, knowing that the other person may use that information to acquire or dispose of, or procure someone else to acquire or dispose of, Cooper Energy securities.
3.3. Consequences of breaching the insider trading prohibition
Insider trading is a criminal offence and may attract substantial fines or imprisonment. Civil penalties may also apply, including the payment of compensation to any person who has suffered loss or damage because of insider trading.
This policy does not contain an exhaustive analysis of the restrictions imposed on, and the serious ramifications of, insider trading. If you would like further information in relation to insider trading, you are encouraged to contact the Company Secretary.
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4. Closed periods
In addition to the prohibition on dealing in Cooper Energy securities while in possession of inside information about Cooper Energy, subject to the following, you are also not permitted to deal in Cooper Energy securities during the following periods (Closed Periods):
• the period commencing 1 January until the conclusion of 2 business days after the day on which Cooper Energy's half year results are announced to ASX;
• the period commencing 1 July until the conclusion of 2 business days after the day on which
Cooper Energy's annual results are announced to ASX;
• the period commencing one month prior to the day of Cooper Energy's annual general meeting and concluding 2 business days after such meeting; and
• any other period determined by the Board or the Managing Director (such as prior to the announcement to ASX of a significant matter or event).
The Board also has an absolute discretion to vary any Closed Period before or during the relevant period, and to prohibit dealings in Cooper Energy securities at any time, by notice in writing (including by email) to you.
Dealing in Cooper Energy securities during Closed Periods is permitted in the circumstances set out in Sections 5 and 6 below.
5. Dealings excluded from this Policy
The following dealings are excluded from the operation of this policy, but remain subject to the insider trading prohibition (that is, you should not undertake these dealings if you are in possession of inside information):
• trading in a managed securities portfolio (other than a portfolio that only invests in Cooper
Energy securities) where the person is not in a position to influence choices in that portfolio;
• where the dealing results from a dividend reinvestment plan where the person has given ongoing instructions to reinvest dividends;
• where the dealing is as a result of subscription for securities the subject of a current prospectus or other form of disclosure document Cooper Energy has on issue;
• where the dealing is a transfer of Cooper Energy securities already held in a person's own name in a superannuation fund to which the person is a beneficiary;
• undertakings to accept, or the acceptance of, a takeover offer;
• dealings under an offer or invitation made to all or most of the security holders (such as a rights issue, share purchase plan, dividend or distribution reinvestment plan or equal access buyback) where the timing and structure of the offer has been approved by the Board. This includes decisions relating to whether or not to take up the entitlements and the sale of entitlements required to provide for the take up of the balance of entitlements under a renounceable pro-rata issue;
• the exercise (but not the sale of securities following exercise) of an option or right under an employee incentive scheme, or the conversion of a convertible security, where the final date for the exercise of the option or right, or the conversion of the security, falls during a Closed Period and the Company has been in an exceptionally long Closed Period or the Company has had a number of consecutive Closed Periods and the person could not reasonably have
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been expected to exercise it at a time when free to do so;
• allowing entitlements to lapse under a rights issue or other offer (including an offer of securities in lieu of a cash dividend);
• the cancellation or surrender of an option under an employee share scheme;
• the purchase or disposal of securities or communication of information required by law (for example, by a court order, or court enforceable undertaking or some other overriding legal or regulatory requirement);
• transfers of securities by an independent trustee of an employee share scheme to a beneficiary; and
• a dealing in Cooper Energy securities where the beneficial ownership of the securities does not change,
Options in the Company may be exercised at any time in accordance with their terms of issue (including during a Closed Period) subject to the insider trading prohibition. Any subsequent sale of such securities will be subject to the terms of this policy.
6. Exceptional circumstances and clearance procedures
Provided you are not in possession of inside information, you may be given clearance to dispose of (but not to acquire) Cooper Energy securities during a Closed Period if:
• there are exceptional circumstances, for example:
o the disposal of Cooper Energy securities is necessary to alleviate severe personal hardship;
o you have entered into a binding commitment prior to a Closed Period where it was not reasonably foreseeable at the time the commitment was made that a Closed Period was likely; or
o other circumstances not identified in this policy that are deemed exceptional by the
Chairman (or the Managing Director where the Chairman is involved); and
• the proposed disposal is the only reasonable course of action available.
You must apply in writing to the Company Secretary if you want a clearance to deal in Cooper Energy securities in a Closed Period (or to the Managing Director if the Company Secretary is involved). The application must be accompanied by evidence of the exceptional circumstances and that a disposal is the only reasonable course of action available.
The Chairman (or the Managing Director where the Chairman is involved) will determine whether the circumstances are exceptional for this purpose and the proposed dealing may only take place where the Chairman (or, if applicable, Managing Director), has given prior written approval for the dealing.
The clearance must be provided in writing (including by email) and must be for a fixed period being not more than 2 business days.
The Company Secretary must maintain a written record of all applications for clearance to sell
Cooper Energy securities during a Closed Period, and decisions made on such applications.
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7. Requirements before dealing - KMP and others
7.1. Key Management Personnel
Key Management Personnel (KMP) are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling the major activities of Cooper Energy (including the directors and other Senior Executives identified in the annual report as KMP).
Prior to any proposed dealing by KMP (or their closely related parties) in Cooper Energy securities (other than a dealing set out in Section 5 above), whether or not in a Closed Period, written clearance for the dealing must be obtained from:
• in the case of KMP other than directors, the Managing Director or Chairman;
• in the case of directors other than the Chairman, the Chairman; and
• in the case of the Chairman, two other directors.
When seeking consent, the KMP must confirm to the satisfaction of the relevant person(s):
• the details of the proposed dealing (for example, the number and type of securities, the name of the person that will be dealing and the nature of the proposed dealing);
• they are not in possession of any inside information;
• the dealing will not occur during a Closed Period (or there are exceptional circumstances which justify the dealing); and
• they are not hedging the risk of any fluctuation in value of any unvested entitlement in
Cooper Energy securities.
The Chairman, Managing Director or Company Secretary/Legal Counsel may seek external legal advice prior to granting any clearance.
Details of the dealing must be advised in writing to the Company Secretary within 2 business days after the dealing, together with, in the case of dealings by directors, sufficient information to enable the Company Secretary to submit an Appendix 3Y to ASX on behalf of the director to fulfil the Company's and the director's obligation to ASX.
Clearance is intended as a compliance monitoring function only and is not an approval for or an endorsement of the proposed dealing. KMP remain responsible for their own decisions and compliance with the law.
The Company Secretary must maintain a written record of all applications by KMP (including on behalf of their closely related parties) for clearance to deal in Cooper Energy securities, and decisions made on such applications.
7.2. Other employees
If you are not KMP, you may deal in Cooper Energy securities at any time provided you are not in possession of inside information and the dealing does not occur during a Closed Period. The Board or Managing Director may designate from time to time, individual or certain groups of employees to whom Section 7.1 above applies (for example, if a particular group of employees are working on a market-sensitive project or a group of employees are working on a market sensitive exploration activity).
If you deal in Cooper Energy securities at any time, details of the dealing must be advised in
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writing to the Managing Director or Company Secretary prior to the dealing and within 2 business days after the dealing has occurred.
If you have any concerns that an intended dealing in Cooper Energy securities might be in breach of the insider trading prohibition or this policy, you are encouraged to consult with the Company Secretary before dealing in those securities.
8. Clearances under Section 6 and Section 7 - general matters
Any clearance given will be valid for a period of up to 5 business days after that clearance is given, as determined by the person giving the clearance.
Even if you are given clearance to deal in Cooper Energy securities under Section 6 or Section 7, if you come into possession of inside information about Cooper Energy after receiving a clearance, you must not deal in Cooper Energy securities despite having received that clearance.
Cooper Energy:
• has full discretion to give or refuse any clearance to deal in Cooper Energy securities, without giving any reasons; and
• can withdraw a clearance to deal in Cooper Energy securities if it receives new information, or there is a change in circumstances.
If you seek clearance to deal in Cooper Energy securities, and Cooper Energy decides to refuse to give clearance:
• Cooper Energy's decision is final and binding on you; and
• you must keep that information confidential and not disclose it to anyone.
9. Other regulated conduct
9.1. Short term dealing and short selling
You are encouraged to be a long term holder of Cooper Energy securities. Short term or speculative dealing in, or short selling, Cooper Energy securities is not encouraged.
9.2. Derivatives and Hedging
If you participate in a Cooper Energy equity based incentive plan (for example, a share or option plan), you must not enter into any transaction (e.g. a derivative) which would have the effect of hedging or otherwise transferring to any other person the risk of any fluctuation in the value of any unvested entitlement (i.e. an entitlement that is subject to time and/or performance hurdles) in Cooper Energy securities.
9.3. Margin loans
You are not permitted to enter into a margin loan or other financing arrangement where there is a risk that Cooper Energy securities will be traded pursuant to the terms of the margin loan or financing arrangement (together a Margin Loan), unless you have obtained prior written consent of the Chairman to enter into the Margin Loan and disclose to the Chairman the following information regarding the Margin Loan (Loan Information):
• key terms;
• number of Cooper Energy securities involved;
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• the trigger points;
• the right of the lender to sell the securities unilaterally; and
• any other material details.
If you are the Chairman and you intend to enter into a Margin Loan, you must obtain the prior written consent of two of the other directors or the Board to enter into the Margin Loan and disclose to those directors or the Board (as applicable) the Loan Information.
9.4. Closely related parties
You must take reasonable steps to prohibit any of your closely related parties from engaging in any activity that would breach this policy.
You must immediately inform the Company Secretary if you become aware of any of your closely related parties engaging in conducts which breaches, or may breach, this policy.
10. Breach of policy
Strict compliance with this policy is mandatory. Breaches will be taken seriously and may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of a person's employment or appointment.
Contravention of the insider trading prohibition in the Corporations Act is a serious matter which may result in criminal and/or civil liability.
If you do not understand any aspect of this policy or how it applies to you, you are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Company Secretary before dealing in any securities.
11. Policy reviews
This policy may be reviewed by the Board from time to time and any proposed amendments approved by the Board.
Material changes to this policy will be advised to ASX in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 12.10.
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