Sibir’s History

Sibir Energy plc was formed in 1996 to look for opportunities to invest in the former Soviet Union, particularly in Russia.

The founders had for some time recognised the attractions of Russia's huge oil and gas reserves, and their availability at prices considerably below the valuations of comparable reserves elsewhere in the world. Today, Sibir is celebrating 10 years of successfully doing business in Russia and the future has never looked brighter.

Timeline
1996

Company incorporation

Sibir acquires 20% interest in a Russian oil and gas producer Evikhon, the owner of a 50% share of a joint venture between Evikhon and Shell Salym Development N.V. created to develop the Salym oil fields, and a 24% shareholding in a Russian oil and gas producer Yugraneft which had interests, inter alia, in three oil fields (South Priobskoye, Palyanovskoye and South East Kamennoye).

1997

Sibir Energy ordinary shares admitted to the Alternative Investment Market (AIM) of the London Stock Exchange

Management relocates permanently to Moscow

Acquires 26% of Yugraneft

1998

Acquires 100% of its parent company, Pentex, thus adding cash generating production from UK assets and bringing needed technology and skills

1999

Initiates discussions with Moscow Oil Company to set up downstream joint venture

Acquires 100% of EuroSov Energy plc, the owner of Magma Oil Co. (Yuzhnoye oil field)

2000

Increases holdings in Evikhon to 82% and Yugraneft to 93.9% respectively. As a result of these transactions, Bennfield becomes controlling shareholder of Sibir with 51% of shares outstanding

Announces agreement with Sibneft to develop the Yugraneft oil fields via Sibneft Yugra JV

2001

Brings holdings in Yugraneft to over 99%

Sibir and Moscow Government agree to set up integrated Moscow Oil and Gas Company

2002

Spins off all UK assets to focus solely on Russia

2003

Announces that subsidiary Evikhon has signed JV agreement with Shell for $1 billion development of Salym fields

Moscow Oil and Gas company formally incorporated with Sibir owning 45% share

2004

Discovery of dilution of Yugraneft's share in Sibneft-Yugra JV

2005

Brings shareholding in Evikhon to 100%

Agrees to acquire 25% share in BP retail network from ST Oil

Salym launches commercial production

2006

Raises $580 million in equity placing.

Production at Salym exceeds 50,000 bopd

Completes aquisition of 25% share in BP retail network

Russian shareholder, Bennfield, raises stake in Sibir to 57%

2007

Production at Salym exceeds 128,000 bopd

Announces acquisition of Koltogorsky Blocks - 520,000 acres of exploration with 970 million barrels of resources in Western Siberia

Acquires 69% stake in the downstream JV company Moscow Oil and Gas Company (MOGC) from the City of Moscow bringing Sibir's stake in the JV to 100%.

City of Moscow becomes a shareholder in Sibir as a result of MOGC transaction.