Corporate Governance

As an AIM quoted company, the Company has chosen to adopt and apply the Quoted Companies Alliance’s (QCA”) Corporate Governance Code 2018 (the ‘QCA Code’) published in April 2018. The Board recognises the value and importance of high standards of corporate governance and believes that this provides the most appropriate framework for a company of our size and stage of development. See QCA Code below for explanation as to how the Company addresses the key governance principles defined in the QCA Code.

As Chairman, I oversee the adoption, delivery and communication of the Company’s corporate governance model, and am responsible for ensuring that it is maintained in line with appropriate practices and policies agreed by the Board. I am also the Company’s leading ambassador, which includes presenting the Company’s aims and policies to investors and other outside parties. I promote active communication with shareholders and other stakeholders, including speaking regularly with major investors and other stakeholders. I chair the AGM and as chairman of the Board, I chair Board meetings, ensuring that the Board regularly reviews the Company’s strategy. I also oversee the composition and structure of the Board which involves regularly reviewing the overall size of the Board, the balance between executive and non-executive, age, experience, skills and personalities of the directors.

The Company holds regular Board meetings. The Board is responsible to the Company’s shareholders for the leadership, control and management of the Company. It is responsible for the long-term success of the Company and for ensuring its appropriate management and operation in pursuit of its objectives, which involves inter alia, formulating, reviewing and approving the Company’s strategy, budgets and corporate activity. The Board currently comprises five Directors, of whom two are executive and three are non-executive. The non-executive directors are considered to be independent.

The Board has established an audit committee, remuneration committee and AIM compliance committee with formally delegated duties and responsibilities, as described below.

Audit committee

The audit committee is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, reviewing significant financial reporting issues, reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control and risk management systems, monitoring the effectiveness of the internal audit function and overseeing the relationship with the external auditors (including advising on their appointment, agreeing the scope of the audit and reviewing the audit findings).

The audit committee comprises Peter Nicol, Peter Cowley and Mark Lappin and is chaired by Peter Nicol. The audit committee aims to meet at appropriate times in the reporting and audit cycle and otherwise as required. The audit committee also meets regularly with the Company’s external auditors. See this link for the Audit Committee’s Terms of Reference.

Remuneration committee

The remuneration committee is responsible for determining and agreeing with the Board the framework for the remuneration of the Chairman and the executive directors and, within the terms of the agreed framework, determining the total individual remuneration packages of such persons including, where appropriate, bonuses, incentive payments and share options or other share awards. The remuneration of non-executive Directors is a matter for the chairman and the executive members of the Board. No Director is involved in any decision as to his or her own remuneration.

The remuneration committee comprises Peter Cowley, Mark Lappin and Peter Nicol, and is chaired by Peter Cowley. The remuneration committee meets at least twice a year and otherwise as required. See this link for the Remuneration Committee’s Terms of Reference.

AIM compliance committee

The AIM compliance committee is responsible for ensuring that the Company complies with its obligations under the AIM Rules for Companies (“AIM Rules”) and the Market Abuse Regulation (Regulation EU 596/2014) (“MAR”) and, in particular makes timely and accurate disclosure of all information that is required to be disclosed to meet its disclosure obligations arising from the admission of its shares to trading on AIM and, under MAR.

The AIM compliance committee comprises Graham Swindells, Mark Lappin, Andrew Nunn and Sarah McLeod. The AIM compliance committee meets as and when required, in order to undertake its responsibilities. See this link for the AIM Compliance Committee’s Terms of Reference.

Share dealing code

The Company has adopted a share dealing code for Directors, persons discharging managerial responsibilities and applicable employees of the Company for the purpose of ensuring compliance by such persons with the provisions of the AIM Rules relating to dealings in the Company’s securities (including, in particular, Rule 21 of the AIM Rules and MAR). The Directors consider that this share dealing code is appropriate for a company whose shares are admitted to trading on AIM.

The Company takes proper steps to ensure compliance by the Directors and applicable employees with the terms of the share dealing code and the relevant provisions of the AIM Rules (including Rule 21) and MAR.

Mark Lappin, Chairman

19 April 2023

Quoted Company Alliance (QCA) Code

The QCA Code was developed by the QCA in consultation with a number of significant institutional small company investors, as an alternative corporate governance code applicable to AIM companies. The QCA code identifies ten principles, the application of each which must be supported by certain related disclosures.

The Principles of the QCA Code

Deliver Growth

QCA Code Principle	What we do and why
1. Establish a strategy and business model which promote long-term value for shareholders. The Board must be able to express a shared view of the Company’s purpose, business model and strategy. It should go beyond the simple description of products and corporate structures and set out how the Company intends to deliver shareholder value in the medium to long-term. It should demonstrate that the delivery of long-term growth is underpinned by a clear set of values aimed at protecting the Company from unnecessary risk and securing its long-term future.	The Company’s Investing Policy is set out on the Company’s website and on page 18 of the Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022. Details of the Company’s strategy and business model can be found in the Strategic Report section of the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, on pages 1 to 18. Details of the key challenges in the execution of the Company’s strategy and business model and how those will be addressed can be found in the Business Risks section of the Company’s Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, on page 16.
2. Seek to understand and meet shareholder needs and expectations Directors must develop a good understanding of the needs and expectations of all elements of the Company’s shareholder base. The Board must manage shareholders’ expectations and should seek to understand the motivations behind shareholder voting decisions.	The Company encourages two-way communication with both existing and potential investors and responds quickly to queries received. The Chairman and the executive directors speak regularly with the Company’s major shareholders. The executive team also engages with shareholders through regular investor presentations and events. In this way the Company ensures that the views of its shareholders are understood and communicated fully to the Board. The Board recognises the AGM as an important opportunity to meet private shareholders. The Directors are also available to listen to the views of shareholders formally during the AGM and informally immediately following the AGM. Where voting decisions are not in line with the Company’s expectations the Board will engage with those shareholders to understand and address any issues as appropriate. The Company has appointed external PR consultants to undertake its Investor Relations who, together with the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer, are the relevant contacts – see Contact Us page of the website for details. The Directors believe that these methods of shareholder engagement are sufficient to support the Company’s aims in meeting their needs and expectations.


3. Take into account wider stakeholder and social responsibilities and their implications for long-term success Long-term success relies upon good relations with a range of different stakeholder groups both internal (workforce) and external (suppliers, customers, regulators and others). The Board needs to identify the Company’s stakeholders and understand their needs, interests and expectations. Where matters that relate to the Company’s impact on society, the communities within which it operates, or the environment have the potential to affect the Company’s ability to deliver shareholder value over the medium to long-term, then those matters must be integrated into the Company’s strategy and business model. Feedback is an essential part of all control mechanisms. Systems need to be in place to solicit, consider and act on feedback from all stakeholder groups.	The Company is committed to sustainability in all aspects of our business – for the environment, suppliers and the communities we operate in. On the basis of the Directors’ experience and their knowledge from the operation of the Company, the identity of the Company’s wider key stakeholders have been identified by the Directors as being those applicable to a company with an Investing Policy focused on UK oil and gas exploration and, accordingly, the Board has considered the implications of these for the Company’s business model. On the basis of the Directors’ knowledge and experience in the industry and of the operation of the Company, the Board believes that the following are the key resources and relationships upon which the business relies: UK North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) The Company maintains regular dialogue and a good relationship with our regulator, the NSTA. Alignment of expectations and our reputation with the NSTA is essential for continuing to develop and to undertake exploration of our natural resource assets. Environment The Company has appointed external consultants to perform environmental sensitivity assessments on our licence blocks and to review and ensure our health and safety systems and procedures are up to date. Suppliers We work in partnership with our main suppliers particularly those engaged in the key process of seismic data acquisition and analysis. This approach fosters improved quality and performance. We treat all suppliers with respect and pay them promptly. Employees We cultivate an open culture such that employees feel able to contribute wherever they may add value, are mutually supportive, and may freely air any concerns. The executive directors maintain regular dialogue with these stakeholders in order to obtain feedback and take any appropriate action. However, no material changes to the Company’s working processes were required over the year to 31 December 2022, or more recently, as a result of stakeholder feedback received by the Company.
4. Embed effective risk management, considering both opportunities and threats, throughout the organisation The Board needs to ensure that the Company’s risk management framework identifies and addresses all relevant risks in order to execute and deliver strategy; companies need to consider their extended business, including the Company’s supply chain, from key suppliers to end-customer. Setting strategy includes determining the extent of exposure to the identified risks that the Company is able to bear and willing to take (risk tolerance and risk appetite).	The Business Risk section on page 16 of our Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 sets out the principal risks to the business and how these are mitigated. The Board is responsible for reviewing and evaluating risk and meet monthly to review ongoing performance, discuss budgets and forecasts and new developments. As noted on pages 19 to 21 of our Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, the Company’s non-executive Directors have a role in reviewing internal control, especially via the audit committee reviewing the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control and risk management systems and monitoring the effectiveness of the internal audit function.

Maintain a dynamic management framework

QCA Code Principle	What we do and why
5. Maintain the Board as a well-functioning, balanced team led by the chair The Board members have a collective responsibility and legal obligation to promote the interests of the Company and, are collectively responsible for defining corporate governance arrangements. Ultimate responsibility for the quality of, and approach to, corporate governance lies with the chair of the Board. The Board (and any committees) should be provided with high quality information in a timely manner to facilitate proper assessment of the matters requiring a decision or insight. The Board should have an appropriate balance between executive and non-executive directors and should have at least two independent non-executive directors. Independence is a Board judgement. The Board should be supported by committees (e.g. audit, remuneration, nomination) that have the necessary skills and knowledge to discharge their duties and responsibilities effectively. Directors must commit the time necessary to fulfil their roles.	The Company is controlled by the Board of Directors. Mark Lappin, the Chairman, is responsible for the running of the Board and Graham Swindells, the Chief Executive Officer, and Andrew Nunn, the Chief Operating Officer, have executive responsibility for running the Company and implementing its strategy. All Directors receive regular and timely information on the Company’s operational and financial performance. Relevant information is circulated to the Directors in advance of meetings. All Directors have direct access to the advice and services of the Company Secretary and are able to take independent professional advice in the furtherance of their duties, if necessary, at the Company’s expense. The Board comprises two executive directors and three non-executive directors. As noted on page 20 of our Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, the three non-executive directors are considered by the Board to be independent of management. The Board believes that they continue to demonstrate an independence of character in the performance of their roles as non-executive directors. Their director’s fees are fixed, and they do not benefit from share option awards. The Board is supported by the Audit, Remuneration and AIM Compliance Committee. The Committee Terms of Reference are available on the Company’s website and can be accessed from the Corporate Governance above.
6. Ensure that between them the directors have the necessary up-to-date experience, skills and capabilities The Board must have an appropriate balance of sector, financial and public markets skills and experience, as well as an appropriate balance of personal qualities and capabilities. The Board should understand and challenge its own diversity, including gender balance, as part of its composition. The Board should not be dominated by one person or a group of people. Strong personal bonds can be important but can also divide a board. As companies evolve, the mix of skills and experience required on the Board will change, and Board composition will need to evolve to reflect this change.	The Directors are all identified together with a summary of their current and past experience, inter alia, how the Board as a whole contains the necessary mix of experience, skills, personal qualities and capabilities, on page 24 of the Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022. Details of the Board’s support, internal advisory responsibilities, external advice and how each director keeps his/her skillset up-to-date can be found on page 20 of our Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 respectively. In February 2018, the Company split the role of the former Executive Chairman between the positions of Chairman and the current Chief Executive Officer, improving the balance of responsibilities within the Board. The Chairman of the Board monitors the suitability of the Board’s composition on a continuing basis and will make recommendations to the Board as and when appropriate. Where new Board appointments are considered, the search for candidates is conducted, and appointments are made, on merit, against objective criteria.


7. Evaluate Board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement The Board should regularly review the effectiveness of its performance as a unit, as well as that of its committees and the individual directors. The Board performance review may be carried out internally or, ideally, externally facilitated from time to time. The review should identify development or mentoring needs of individual directors or the wider senior management team. It is healthy for membership of the Board to be periodically refreshed. Succession planning is a vital task for boards. No member of the Board should become indispensable.	The Board evaluates its performance as a whole informally, on an ongoing basis. This falls under the overall responsibility of the Chairman, taking into account the Financial Reporting Council’s Guidance on Board Effectiveness. The chair of each Board committee is responsible for evaluating the performance of their respective committee in relation to the terms of reference of each of those committees, undertaken informally on an ongoing basis. Details of the results of the Board committee’s evaluations can be found on pages 21 and 22 of our Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 respectively. In addition, the individual performance and effectiveness of all Directors is considered prior to the proposal for each director’s re- election to ensure that their performance is and continues to be effective, that where appropriate they maintain their independence and that they are demonstrating continued commitment to the role, taking into account, inter alia, individual contributions towards implementing the Company‘s business strategy, the clarity of leadership, and the quality of information, presentations and support provided to the Board. The evaluation procedures have been maintained and applied consistently over the years, reflecting the business activities of the Company. As a consequence of the process, there have been changes to Board composition that have resulted in a balanced and fit for purpose Board, comprising 2 executives and 3 non-executives. The Chairman of the Board and the Board consider succession planning for Board and other senior management appointments as part of the evaluation process. New directors stand for re-election at the Company’s first AGM following their appointment. Existing directors are required, if appropriate, stand for re-election every 3 years.
8. Promote a corporate culture that is based on ethical values and behaviours The Board should embody and promote a corporate culture that is based on sound ethical values and behaviours and use it as an asset and a source of competitive advantage. The policy set by the Board should be visible in the actions and decisions of the chief executive and the rest of the management team. Corporate values should guide the objectives and strategy of the Company. The culture should be visible in every aspect of the business, including recruitment, nominations, training and engagement. The performance and reward system should endorse the desired ethical behaviours across all levels of the Company. The corporate culture should be recognisable throughout the disclosures in the annual report, website and any other statements issued by the Company.	The Board seeks to maintain the highest standards of integrity and probity in the conduct of the Company’s activities. These values are enshrined in the written policies and working practices adopted by all employees. As noted on page 17 of our Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022, an open culture is encouraged within the Company, with regular communications to staff regarding progress and staff feedback regularly sought. The executive directors work closely with the small number of employees, so the Board is well placed to assess its culture. The Board are prepared to take appropriate action against unethical behaviour, violation of company policies or misconduct. The Company is committed to providing a safe environment for its staff and all other parties for which the Company has a legal or moral responsibility in this area. External consultants retained by the Company have reviewed our health and safety systems and procedures, and we have implemented their recommendations.
9. Maintain governance structures and processes that are fit for purpose and support good decision- making by the Board The Company should maintain governance structures and processes in line with its corporate culture and appropriate to its: size and complexity; and capacity, appetite and tolerance for risk. The governance structures should evolve over time in parallel with its objectives, strategy and business model to reflect the development of the Company.	The Company’s Corporate Governance Statement was included on page 19 of the Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022; which includes disclosures in relation to the QCA code. The Corporate Governance Statement in the Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 details the Company’s governance structures including information about the Audit Committee (pages 21 and 22), Remuneration Committee (pages 21 and 23), AIM Compliance Committee (page 21) and Share Dealing Policy (page 21), including summaries of the committees’ terms of reference (page 21). The Committee Terms of Reference are available on the Company’s website and can be accessed from the Corporate Governance section. The Chairman and the Board, with the help of guidance from the Company’s advisers, assess annually the appropriateness of the Company’s governance structures as the Company continues to develop. This ensures their continuing adequacy and relevance. The Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer are jointly responsible for engagement with shareholders and other stakeholders. The Chief Executive Officer has overall responsibility for formulating, planning and implementing the Company’s strategy and the Chief Operating Officer has responsibility for all technical operational matters. The Board is in constant communication and meets regularly. The following formal matters are reserved for approval by the Board: Formulating business strategy Determining policies and values Investing decisions Fundraising decisions Management appointments At present the Board is satisfied with the Company’s corporate governance and as such there are no specific plans for changes to the Company’s corporate governance arrangements in the short-term. However, the Company is committed to the evolution of its corporate governance in line with best practice, to the extent the Directors judge it appropriate considering the Company’s size, stage of development and resources.

Build Trust

QCA Code Principle	What we do and why
10. Communicate how the Company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders. A healthy dialogue should exist between the Board and all of its stakeholders, including shareholders, to enable all interested parties to come to informed decisions about the Company. In particular, appropriate communication and reporting structure should exist between the Board and all constituent parts of its shareholder base. This will assist: the communication of shareholders’ views to the Board; and circumstances and constraints faced by the Company. It should be clear where these communication practices are described (annual report or website).	The Company encourages two-way communication with its investors and other stakeholders and responds quickly to all queries received. The Chairman and executive directors speak regularly with the Company’s major shareholders and ensure that their views are communicated fully to the Board. The Board recognises the AGM as an important opportunity to meet shareholders. The Directors are available to listen to the views of shareholders formally during the AGM and also informally, immediately following the AGM. The Company communicates how it is governed and is performing through its regulatory announcements, its Annual Report and via its website, which is regularly updated. The Report & Accounts and Notices of General Meetings of the Company for the last five years may be viewed on the website, Reports, Shareholder & Company Documents page. The Company’s audit committee report and remuneration committee report can be found on pages 22 and 23 of our Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 respectively. The results of voting on all resolutions in general meetings will be posted to the Company’s website and announced via RNS, including any actions to be taken as a result of resolutions for which votes against have been received from at least 20% of individual shareholders.

QCA Code Principle

What we do and why

10. Communicate how the Company is governed and is performing by maintaining a dialogue with shareholders and other relevant stakeholders.

A healthy dialogue should exist between the Board and all of its stakeholders, including shareholders, to enable all interested parties to come to informed decisions about the Company.

In particular, appropriate communication and reporting structure should exist between the Board and all constituent parts of its shareholder base. This will assist:

the communication of shareholders’ views to the Board; and
circumstances and constraints faced by the Company.

It should be clear where these communication practices are described (annual report or website).

The Company encourages two-way communication with its investors and other stakeholders and responds quickly to all queries received. The Chairman and executive directors speak regularly with the Company’s major shareholders and ensure that their views are communicated fully to the Board.

The Board recognises the AGM as an important opportunity to meet shareholders. The Directors are available to listen to the views of shareholders formally during the AGM and also informally, immediately following the AGM. The Company communicates how it is governed and is performing through its regulatory announcements, its Annual Report and via its website, which is regularly updated.

The Report & Accounts and Notices of General Meetings of the Company for the last five years may be viewed on the website, Reports, Shareholder & Company Documents page.

The Company’s audit committee report and remuneration committee report can be found on pages 22 and 23 of our Report & Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2022 respectively.

The results of voting on all resolutions in general meetings will be posted to the Company’s website and announced via RNS, including any actions to be taken as a result of resolutions for which votes against have been received from at least 20% of individual shareholders.