VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 16, 2013) -
THIS RELEASE IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Africa Oil Corp. ("Africa Oil" or the "Company") (News - Market indicators)(OMX:AOI) reports that it has agreed to sell, on a brokered, private placement basis, an aggregate of up to 56,505,217 common shares at a price of SEK 51.75 (Cdn $8.25(1) equivalent), per share for gross proceeds of up to SEK 2,924,144,980, or US $450,000,000 equivalent (the "Offering").
The common shares will be placed on a best efforts basis by a syndicate comprising of Citigroup Global Markets Limited, Dundee Securities Europe LLP and Pareto Securities AS, who together will act as joint bookrunners (the "Joint Bookrunners").
Net proceeds of the private placement will be used to fund the Company's future exploration, appraisal and development program in East Africa, as well as for corporate development and general working capital purposes.
The Company has received substantial support for the Offering from both existing shareholders and new institutional investors.
An application will be made to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") for approval of the Offering and the new shares will be listed on NASDAQ OMX First North Stockholm. Closing of the Offering is subject to regulatory approval and certain other customary conditions including, but not limited to, the execution of a definitive agency agreement between the Company and the Joint Bookrunners. Closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about October 28, 2013, or such other dates as the Company and the Joint Bookrunners may agree.
Common shares issued to Canadian residents will be subject to resale restrictions under Canadian securities laws for a period of four months plus one day from the date of the closing of the Offering. Subject to applicable securities laws, common shares issued to residents outside of Canada pursuant to the Offering may not be sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of on the TSXV or, except pursuant to an exemption from prospectus requirements under Canadian securities laws, to any person in Canada or otherwise into Canada for a period of four months plus one day from the date of the closing of the Offering.
The securities offered have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or applicable state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from such registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.
| (1) Based on Bloomberg time stamp exchange rates as at 4pm BST October 15, 2013 as follows: |
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USD SEK |
6.4981 |
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CAD SEK |
6.2682 |
About Africa Oil
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya and Ethiopia as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its 45% equity interest in Horn Petroleum Corporation. Africa Oil's East African holdings are within a world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this prolific region in excess of 250,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. Four new significant discoveries have been announced in the Northern Kenyan basin in which the Company holds a 50% interest along with operator Tullow Oil plc. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and on First North at NASDAQ OMX-Stockholm under the symbol "AOI".
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements made and information contained herein constitute "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, "forward looking statements") relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or reach expected operating capacity, that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect, "may", "will", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Keith C. Hill, President and CEO
Africa Oil's Certified Advisor on NASDAQ OMX First North Stockholm is Pareto Securities AB.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.