ACCOUNTING FOR EXPLORATION COMPANIES — A FRESH APPROACH

Abstract

This paper is directed at presenting new initiatives to tackle the accounting and financial reporting dilemmas which confront companies involved in petroleum exploration.

Accounting for exploration expenditure has always been a sensitive issue for explorers. The single, most contentious, accounting issue for petroleum explorers is the extent to which pre-production expenditures should be capitalised (as an asset in the balance sheet) or expensed (in the profit and loss account). The accounting practices recommended in other major countries are less rigorous than those that are already applied in Australia, at a time when the Australian accounting practices are being criticised for their weakness.

Existing Australian accounting standards dealing with the capitalisation of exploration and evaluation expenditure fail the basic tests for quality financial reporting information. The high degree of subjectivity inherent in the application of available accounting methods contributes to the poor investor (and potential investor) perception of the reported financial position of petroleum explorers; the integrity of financial analysis is severely impaired. Ultimately, as the Australian economy emerges from recession, and as both investor confidence and speculative interest return to Australian capital markets, a fresh approach to financial reporting by petroleum explorers will support future capital raising needs.

A fresh approach is required because the accounting implications for all companies, including explorers and producers, have changed. All industry participants will need to re-evaluate the amounts included on their balance sheets in relation to exploration interests. In particular, companies and their directors must now consider the 'recoverable amount' of their exploration interests. However, the level of commercial uncertainty in this sector reduces the reliability of any determination of recoverable amount. The response of many companies has been, and will be, to write-off exploration expenditure, or set aside provisions of equivalent amount, so as to reduce the book value of their deferred expenditure, and so reduce their exposure to allegations of asset overstatement.

The first part of our fresh approach is to follow the trend towards limited capitalisation of exploration expenditure by recommending that as expenditure is incurred on exploration, a provision be set aside of equivalent amount. In the event that exploration is successful, the provision would be reversed, thereby reinstating the expenditure as a productive asset. Whilst undoubtedly conservative and controversial, implementation of this recommendation will encourage exploration companies to provide more comprehensive supporting information as to drilling and exploration progress.

The second part of that fresh approach is to enhance the quality of financial reporting by setting a higher standard of disclosure of oil and gas reserves, with particular emphasis on the consistent disclosure of proved and probable reserves. Current practice does not represent either consistent or high quality disclosure.

The final part of our new approach is to require petroleum explorers to provide a prospective (or budgeted) statement of expected sources and applications of funds for the following year, as an integral part of their annual reporting package.