Report to Shareholders | December 31, 2023
Africa Oil Corp.
RISK FACTORS - CONTINUED
RESERVES AND RESOURCES VOLUMES
There are many uncertainties inherent in estimating quantities of oil and natural gas reserves and resources (contingent and prospective)
and the future cash flows attributed to such reserves and resources. The actual production, revenues, taxes and development and
operating expenditures with respect to the reserves and resources associated with the Company’s assets will vary from estimates
thereof and such variations could be material. Estimates of reserves that may be developed and produced in the future are often based
upon volumetric calculations and upon analogy to similar types of reserves rather than actual production history. There is uncertainty
that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the contingent resources. Actual future net cash flows will be affected by
other factors, such as actual production levels, supply and demand for oil and natural gas, curtailments or increases in consumption by
oil and natural gas purchasers, changes in governmental regulation or taxation and the impact of inflation on costs.
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS AND TAX RISK
The Company may be adversely affected by changes to applicable laws to which it is subject, and its host governments may implement
new applicable laws, modify existing ones, or interpret them in a manner that is detrimental to the Company. Such changes to the laws
to which the Company is subject could, amongst other things, result in a windfall tax, an increase in existing tax rates or the imposition
of new ones or the Company may be subject to tax assessments, all of which on their own or taken together could have a material
adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects of the Company’s oil and gas assets.
As has become customary in Nigeria since 2019, the annual budget for Nigeria has been accompanied by a proposed finance bill that
supports the revenue needs indicated in the annual budget. This bill could include changes to tax laws, including laws that can affect
directly or indirectly the oil and gas industry.
INVESTMENTS IN ASSOCIATES AND INVESTMENTS IN JOINT VENTURES
The Company has invested in other frontier oil and gas exploration companies that face similar risks and uncertainties, which could
have a material adverse effect on their businesses, prospects and results of operations. Such risks include, without limitation, equity
risk, liquidity risk, commodity price risk, credit risk, currency risk, foreign investment risk, and changes in environmental regulations,
economic, political or market conditions, or the regulatory environment in the countries in which they operate. The associates or joint
ventures are entities in which the Company has some influence, including through its representation on their boards, but given its
equal or minority interest, no or limited control over their decisions, including, without limitation, financial and operational policies, the
Company has no or limited control over outcomes, performance and governance. The Company’s access to information is subject to
the contractual provisions of shareholder agreements. The Company is reliant on the information provided by investments and may
not have the ability to independently verify such information. The Company’s investments are not diversified over different types of
investments and industries, rather, they are concentrated in one type of investment. If an associated company or jointly controlled entity
in which the Company has invested fails, liquidates, or becomes bankrupt, the Company could face the potential risk of loss of some,
or all, of its investments, and may be unable to recover any of its investments.
The Company’s share price performance is subject to timely communication of financial and operational results. The Company is reliant
on its associates and joint ventures for timely and accurate disclosures of material updates. Although the Company has procedures in
place to maximise its oversight of such disclosures, including representation on the boards of its investee companies, failure to mitigate
delays and/or inaccuracies in such disclosures could expose the Company to regulatory sanctions and shareholder legal action that
could adversely impact the Company’s finances and reputation.
INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS
The Company participates in oil and gas projects located in emerging markets, primarily in Africa. Oil and gas exploration, development
and production activities in these emerging markets are subject to significant political, economic, and other uncertainties that may
adversely affect the Company’s operations. The Company could be adversely affected by changes in applicable laws and policies
in the countries where the Company has interests. Additional uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk of war, terrorism,
expropriation, civil unrest, nationalization, renegotiation or nullification of existing or future concessions and contracts, the imposition
of international sanctions, a change in crude oil or gas pricing policies, changes to taxation laws and policies, assessments and audits
(including income tax) against the Company by regulatory authorities, difficulty or delays in obtaining necessary regulatory approvals,
risks associated with potential future legal proceedings, and the imposition of currency controls. These uncertainties, all of which are
beyond the Company’s control, could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, prospects and results of operations.
In addition, if legal disputes arise related to oil and gas concessions acquired by the Company, they could be subject to the jurisdiction
of courts other than those of Canada. The Company’s recourse may be very limited in the event of a breach by a government or
government authority of an agreement governing a concession in which the Company acquires an interest. The Company may require
licenses or permits from various governmental authorities to carry out future exploration, development and production activities. There
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licenses and permits when required.
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