Its fair to say thatUK Oil & Gas Investments (LSE: UKOG) is a veryspeculativeinvestment. On the one hand, if the company and its partners manage to develop their oil-rich acreage in the Weald Basin of southern England successfully, then UK Oil & Gas could become one of the worlds largest exploration and production companies.
On the other hand, if the firm struggles to developits assets and problems outside of the companys control emerge, then UK Oil & Gas will join the legions of other failed oil minnows.
That said, the events of the past few weeks have proven that UK Oil & Gas isnt just another oil minnow that promises the world but fails to deliver. As announced on Tuesday,Horse Hill Developments Limited has conducted a successful flow test at theHH-1 discovery well,located within onshore exploration Licence PEDL137. UK Oil & Gas owns a 20% interestin PEDL137, a 30%direct interest in Horse Hill Developments and another 1.02% interest in Horse Hill Developments via its 6% interest in Angus Energy Limited.
Diversified assets
Unlike most early stage exploration and production companies, UK Oil & Gas isnt a one-trick pony. The company has a number of assets across the south of England, several of which are already producing oil and revenue for the company.
During the six months ended 31 March 2015, the most recent period for which results are available, the companysshare of production from the Horndean and Avington oil fields in the Weald Basin amounted to 3,434 barrels of oil. UK Oil & Gas collected revenues of 200,000 from the sale of this oil. Further, at the end of the period the company had cash and receivables of approximately 8m, with additional borrowing capacity of $9.6m. These figures are out of date, but its clear that since they were released, UK Oil & Gas has significantly improved its outlook with the upbeat test results from Horse Hill and the upbeat figures from the companys Isle of Wight acreage.
Set to double
According to my figures, theres only one set of City analysts covering UK Oil & Gas at present, but these analysts believe that the companys shares could be worth as much as 5p in the near-term thats an increase of 134% from current levels.Still, until commercial production officially commences at Horse Hills wells in theWeald Basin, in my view its likely that the market will continue to view UK Oil & Gas with a degree of scepticism. So, while UK Oil & Gas might be on the way to becoming one of the UKs premier oil companies, it still has a long way to go, and it will take time for the business to develop existing assets.
UK Oil & Gas certainly isnt a company for widows and orphans, but if youre willing to take the risk, the companys shares could rise 134% from current levelsif City forecasts are to be believed.
Hitting the jackpot
Our analysts here at the Motley Fool have put togetherthis strategy to helpYOU unearth those massive, market-thrashingopportunities that could put you on the path to substantial long-term wealth. The strategy is designed to help you build a million-pound fortune by following strategic steps.
Thereport explainshow spending just 20 minutes a month could help you create a portfolio that could bring you closer to financial freedomfor life.
Click hereto check out the report -it’s completely free and comeswith nofurther obligation.
Rupert Hargreaves has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.