Niko Reports Results for the Year Ended March 31, 2014

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwired - Jun 27, 2014) - Niko Resources Ltd. ("Niko" or the "Company") (NKO.TO) is pleased to report its operating and financial results for the quarter and year ended March 31, 2014. The operating results are effective June 26, 2014. All amounts are in US dollars unless otherwise indicated and all amounts are reported using International Financial Reporting Standards unless otherwise indicated.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS MESSAGE TO THE SHAREHOLDERS

In the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company adopted a new business strategy that incorporates the following principles:

  • Focus on value generation in the D6 Block;

  • Reduce the Company's exposure to future drilling commitments in its exploration portfolio while, if possible, maintaining optionality to benefit from the exploration potential in the portfolio; and

  • Continue to restructure the Company to create the necessary financial strength and flexibility to realize the inherent value of the Company's assets.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company closed on its $340 million debt facility while simultaneously raising approximately $30 million (net) in equity. Through this financing, the Company rebalanced its debt obligations, extended the majority of its debt maturities out to calendar 2017, finalized a settlement agreement for its long term drilling contracts, and added $174 million in cash to the Company's balance sheet, thus providing funding and time for execution of the Company's new strategic focus.

In addition, over the past year, the Company implemented the following:

  • Suspension of exploration activities outside of India - Exploration efforts ceased in Indonesia, Trinidad, Madagascar, and Brazil, with drilling and technical staffing reduced significantly. Activities in these countries are now focussed on farm-outs and/or sales of working interests along with extensions of drilling obligations or modifications of terms. In addition, the Company initiated discussions with its vendors in Indonesia and Trinidad towards settlement of the payables accrued from its drilling programs.

  • Expansion of the Board of Directors - Four new independent directors joined the board, bringing expertise and in-depth experience in corporate turnarounds and rebuilding, and the Board formed a special Restructuring Committee to directly oversee the Company's restructuring efforts.

  • Changes in management - New executive talent joined the Company with practical experience in financial restructuring and the Company hired an "in-house" general counsel. The Company also retained specialized consultants to advise on the many technical aspects of corporate restructuring. More recently, the Board has retained a search firm to identify candidates for a new Chief Executive Officer who is to provide the leadership to complete the Company's restructuring and develop the strategic roadmap for future value growth of the Company.