Principal activity: Oil and gas exploration and production
Index: London Stock Exchange AIM
Ticker symbol: NTOG
Nostra Terra is an oil and gas exploration and production company focused on established hydrocarbon provinces in the USA.
Nostra Terra owns and operates producing assets in East Texas and West Texas (Permian Basin).
Nostra Terra Oil and Gas Company plc was incorporated and registered in England and Wales on 20 January 2005 with registered number 5338258, and its assets and operations are based primarily in the USA.
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
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Broker
SPANGEL
Prince Frederick House
35-39 Maddox Street
London
W1S 2PP
Auditors
MAH, Chartered Accountants
2nd Floor
154 Bishopsgate
London
EC2M 4LN
Solicitors
Druces LLP
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London
EC2M 5PS
Principal bankers
National Westminster Bank plc
PO Box 712 94
Moorgate
London
EC2M 6XT
Registrars
Share Registrars Limited
Suite E
First Floor
9 Lion & Lamb Yard
Farnham
Surrey GU9 7LL
PR/IR
Celicourt Communications Limited
Orion House
5 Upper St Martins Lane
London
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As an AIM-quoted company, Nostra Terra Oil & Gas Company plc (“Nostra Terra” or the “Company”) and its subsidiaries (together, the “Group”) is required to apply a recognised corporate governance code, demonstrating how the Group complies with such corporate governance code and where it departs from it.
The Directors of the Company have formally taken the decision to apply the QCA Corporate Governance Code (the “QCA Code”). The Board recognises the principles of the QCA Code, which focus on the creation of medium to long-term value for shareholders without stifling the entrepreneurial spirit in which small to
medium sized companies, such as Nostra Terra, have been created. The Company will provide annual updates on its compliance with the QCA Code in its Annual Report.
The Board
The Board comprises three Directors of which one is an executive and two are non-executives, including the Chairman, reflecting a blend of different experience and backgrounds. The Board considers Steve Staley and John Stafford to be independent non-executives in terms of the QCA guidelines.
The Board meets throughout the year and all major decisions are taken by the full Board. The Group’s day-to-day operations are managed by the Executive Director. All Directors have access to the Company Secretary and any Director needing independent professional advice in the furtherance of his/her duties may obtain this advice at the expense of the Group.
The Board is satisfied that it has a suitable balance between independence on the one hand, and knowledge of the Company on the other, to enable it to discharge its duties and responsibilities effectively, and that all Directors have adequate time to fill their roles.
Details of the current Directors, their roles and background are set out on the Company’s website at www.ntog.co.uk.
The role of the Chairman is to provide leadership of the Board and ensure its effectiveness on all aspects of its remit to maintain control of the Group. In addition, the Chairman is responsible for the implementation and practice of sound corporate governance. The Chairman is considered independent and has adequate separation from the day-to-day running of the Group
The role of the Chief Executive Officer is for the strategic development of the Group and for communicating it clearly to the Board and, once approved by the Board, for implementing it. In addition, the Chief Executive Officer is responsible for overseeing the management of the Group.
Application of the QCA Code
In the spirit of the QCA Code it is the Board’s job to ensure that the Group is managed for the long-term benefit of all shareholders and other stakeholders with effective and efficient decision-making. Corporate governance is an important part of that job, reducing risk and adding value to the Group. The Board will continue to monitor the governance framework of the Group as it grows.
Nostra Terra is an oil and gas exploration and production company that seeks to grow shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of oil and gas assets. The Company seeks to promote the long-term value for shareholders by leveraging the technical knowledge and experience of its Directors and Group to achieve further significant uplift in its asset base and complete the necessary associated technical work.
The Company remains committed to listening to, and communicating openly with, its shareholders to ensure that its strategy, business model and performance are clearly understood. The AGM is a forum for shareholders to engage in dialogue with the Board. The results of the AGM will be published via RNS and on the Company’s website. In addition, the Board organises regular update meetings with both the shareholders and the Company’s brokers. Regular progress reports are also made via RNS’s.
Nostra Terra believes that a successful project is best achieved through maintaining close working relationships with local partners, vendors, service providors and other stakeholders in local communities, this social ideology is at the forefront of all of Nostra Terra’s exploration and production activities by establishing and maintaining co- operative relationships with local personnel and using local contractors and suppliers.
Nostra Terra’s management maintains a close dialogue with local communities and its workforce. Where issues are raised, the Board takes the matters seriously and, where appropriate, steps are taken to ensure that these are integrated into the Company’s strategy.
Careful attention is given to ensure that all exploration activity is performed in an environmentally responsible manner and abides by all relevant industry and environmental acts. Nostra Terra takes a conscientious role in all of its operations and is aware of its social responsibility and its environmental duty.
Both the engagement with local communities and the performance of all activities in an environmentally and socially responsible way are closely monitored by the Board and ensure that ethical values and behaviours are recognised.
Corporate Governance Committees
The Board has established two committees comprising Non-Executive Directors.
The composition of the committees is as follows:
Audit
Steve Staley (Chairman)
John Stafford
Remuneration
Steve Staley (Chairman)
John Stafford
The Audit Committee
The Audit Committee meets twice during the year to review the published financial information, the effectiveness of external audit and internal financial controls including the specific matters set out below.
The terms of reference of the Audit Committee are to assist all the Directors in discharging their individual and collective legal responsibilities and during the meetings to ensure that:
The audit committee does not consider there is a need for an internal audit function given the size and nature of the Group.
Significant issues considered by the Audit Committee during the year have been the Principal Risks and Uncertainties and their effect on the financial statements. The Audit Committee tracked the Principal Risks and Uncertainties through the year and kept in contact with the Group’s Management, External Service Providers and Advisors and received regular updates. The Audit Committee is satisfied that there has been appropriate focus and challenge on the high-risk areas.
Jeffreys Henry, the current external auditors, have been in office since 2009 which was the last time a tender for the audit took place.
The external auditors are invited to attend the Audit Committee meeting to present their findings and this provides them with a direct line of communication to the Directors.
Remuneration Committee
The terms of reference of the Remuneration Committee are to:
The Company does not currently have a Nominations Committee, which the Board considers to be appropriate given the Company’s size and nature, but it will continue to monitor the situation as it grows.
Internal control
The Directors acknowledge their responsibility for the Group’s system of internal control, which is designed to ensure adherence to the Group’s policies whilst safeguarding the assets of the Group, in addition to ensuring the completeness and accuracy of the accounting records. Responsibility for implementing a system of internal financial control is delegated to the Finance Director. The essential elements of the Group’s internal financial control procedures involve:
Detailed financial projections for the current financial year are prepared and subject to formal review at Board meetings.
The Directors aim to monitor the Group’s performance through the preparation of quarterly management accounts and regular reviews of expenditure and projections.
Departure from the QCA Code:
In accordance with the AIM Rules for Companies, Nostra Terra departs from the QCA Code in the following way:
Principle 7 – “Evaluate board performance based on clear and relevant objectives, seeking continuous improvement.”
Nostra Terra’s board is small and extremely focused on implementing the Company’s strategy. However, given the size and nature of Nostra Terra, the Board does not consider it appropriate to have a formal performance evaluation procedure in place, as described and recommended in Principle 7 of the QCA Code. The Board will closely monitor the situation as it grows.
Steve Staley
Non-Executive Chairman
Nostra Terra Oil and Gas Company is subject to the UK City Code on Takeovers and Mergers.
Constitutional Documents
Shareholder Circulars
2,601,520,532 ordinary shares of 0.01p each. There are no restrictions on the transfer of these securities.
As at 12 November 2024, the Company was aware of the following interests in its issued share capital:
| Shares | Percentage | Holder Name |
|---|---|---|
| 255,000,000 | 9.81% | DOS HERMANOS INTERNATIONAL LLC |
| 195,132,906 | 7.51% | PREMIER MITON GROUP PLC |
| 133,000,000 | 5.12% | SHANTONU KUMAR CHUNDUR |
| 100,000,000 | 3.85% | VB CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AG |
| 100,000,000 | 3.85% | DOWGATE CAPITAL LIMITED |
| 94,151,664 | 3.62% | INTERACTIVE INVESTOR SERVICES NOMINEES LIMITED |
| 87,750,000 | 3.38% | BONO ENERGY GROUP LIMITED |
Last updated 11 November 2024 – No company-issued ordinary shares are not in public hands.
Shares in Nostra Terra are only traded on AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange plc, the company has not applied or agreed to have them admitted to trading on any other exchanges or trading platforms.
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