Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Registered number: 2778741
Registered charity number: 1017482
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Registered number: 2778741 Registered charity number: 1017482
Trustees
John Joseph Healy Michelle Boyd Laura Ioana Precupanu Nicola Thomas Grigory Zarayskiy
Company Secretary
John Joseph Healy
Registered Office
1 The Sanctuary Westminster London SW1P 3JT
1 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024
Independent Auditors
RSM UK Audit LLP 25 Farringdon Street London, EC4A 4AB
Bankers
Barclays Bank Pall Mall Corporate Group 50 Pall Mall London SW1A 1QA
Solicitors
Lee Bolton Monier-Williams 1 The Sanctuary Westminster London SW1P 3JT
Investment Advisors
Fidelity International 4 Cannon Street London EC4M 5AB
Internal Auditors
Grant Thornton UK LLP 30 Finsbury Square London EC2A 1AG
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Trustees’ report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The Trustees, who are also the Directors, present their report for the purposes of Company Law together with the consolidated financial statements and independent auditor’s report for the year ended 31 March 2024.
Trustees and their Interests
The Trustees, who are also the Directors, who served during the year were as follows:
John Joseph Healy Michelle Boyd Laura Ioana Precupanu Nicola Thomas Grigory Zarayskiy
The Trustees are appointed on the recommendation of the Board of Directors of the parent undertaking and the existing Trustees and in accordance with the Companies Act 2006.
Principal Officer and Company Secretary
John Joseph Healy – Human Resources Director and Company Secretary Grigory Zarayskiy – Director, European and Caspian Events
Structure, Governance and Management
Governing Document
Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited, company registration number: 2778741 and charity registration number: 1017482, is a Private company limited by shares, which was incorporated on 6 January 1993 and commenced trading on 1 March 1993. It is a subsidiary undertaking of Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Inc, tax identification number 75-2001539, a charitable company incorporated and operating in the USA. The objects of the Company are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association. In February 1993, the Company was registered as a charity, with the purpose of aiding the dissemination of petroleum engineering knowledge through a variety of programmes including publications, specialist meetings, scholarships and internet based services.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Appointment of Trustees
Trustees, Induction and Training
New Trustees are recruited from the Society’s membership and are identified by peer review. A Trustee induction handbook is provided to new Trustees. This handbook is divided into four units, designed to (1) safeguard the values and mission of the organisation; (2) determine the strategy and structure of the organisation; (3) ensure the organisation operates in a responsible and accountable manner; and (4) ensure the effective functioning of the board. Trustees are provided with ongoing training and support as required to enable them to fulfil their duties effectively.
The Trustees of the board are not remunerated for the service that they provide to the Charity as Trustees of the board but where they fulfil other employment activities for the SPE group, they will receive remuneration from the Group. In such cases, remuneration is benchmarked against appropriate external data and reviewed by senior management, and if appropriate, the remuneration committee of SPE Inc on a regular basis.
Organisation
The SPE Inc Board is comprised of the SPE International officers. The SPE Inc Board is responsible for broad financial and operational oversight for the organisation.
Each regional board, including the Board of Trustees of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited, is comprised of Directors selected at-large from within the region. Having at-large Directors serving on those boards gives a broad-based representation that enhances the decisions of those boards. The regional subsidiary boards have general fiduciary and operational oversight responsibility for the subsidiary operations.
In summary, the responsibilities of the various governing bodies are as follows:
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The SPE International Board is responsible for policy and programme development for the Society’s worldwide activities.
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The SPE Inc Board has fiduciary and operational oversight responsibility for the entire organisation; and
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The regional subsidiary boards have fiduciary and operational oversight responsibility for the subsidiary operations.
The SPE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) together with the Chief Global Events Officer manages the worldwide staff operations. Each subsidiary has an Events Director who oversees the regional operations. The Events Directors report to the Chief Global Events Officer. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Global Events Officer work closely with the Society officers and each of the governing bodies in making decisions and setting direction. Generally, the SPE International Board sets strategic direction and establishes policies after consultation with staff. Additionally, staff consult with the appropriate governing body on major operational issues, but staff have responsibility for operational decisions and execution of board-approved programmes.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Strategic Report
Objectives and Activities
The objectives and principal activities of Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited continue to be in line with the vision of SPE International, which is to “enable the global oil and gas E&P industry to share technical knowledge needed to meet the world’s energy needs in a safe and environmentally responsible manner”, which guides the overall mission “To connect a global community of engineers, scientists, and related energy professionals to exchange knowledge, innovate, and advance their technical and professional competence regarding the exploration, development and production of oil and gas and related energy resources to achieve a safe, secure and sustainable energy future.”.
The Group achieves its objectives through a variety of programmes including publications, technical meetings, scholarships, educational programmes, training courses and web-based services.
Public Benefit
In planning our activities to meet our objectives our Trustees have given careful consideration to the Charity Commission’s general guidance on public benefit.
The Society believes that the key aspects of public benefit will be achieved by:
Development of the Exploration and Production (E&P) Industry workforce. SPE is the technical and professional home for those engaged in all aspects of the upstream oil and gas industry. All charitable activities focus on sharing of knowledge that keeps the E&P industry sustainable and are undertaken to further our charitable purpose to collect, disseminate, and exchange technical knowledge concerning the exploration, development and production of oil and gas resources, and related technologies for the public benefit.
By addressing technical challenges, as the largest upstream professional society, SPE provides a worldwide forum for sharing technology, knowledge and the latest solutions for overcoming the technical challenges of finding and producing more oil and natural gas. SPE also helps address critical issues of the future such as sustainability of energy supplies and carbon sequestration.
By preparing the next generation of energy professionals for careers in our industry, SPE’s programmes help by offering both professional and skill development through workshops, training courses, publications, Section activities and online mentoring.
By working with schools and universities to attract more young people to our profession with scholarships, our global energy multilingual education outreach programme, Energy4me, the SPE Ambassador programme and teacher workshops and education events aimed at students and school children.
By maintaining high professional standards by offering members continuing education options globally. SPE Petroleum Engineering Certification offers an international credential recognising petroleum engineering expertise.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Distinguished Lecturer Programme
The purpose of the program is to provide SPE sections with outstanding speakers for section meetings, and to recognize the professional contributions of the selected Distinguished Lecturers. The program selects a small group of members who -demostrate exceptional knowledge relevant to the industry. These speakers are encouraged and supported to run their presentations by SPE for regional groups of members (Sections) around the world.
The program promotes SPE’s mission to connect a global community of engineers, scientists, and related energy professionals to exchange knowledge, innovate, and advance their technical and professional competence regarding the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas and related energy resources to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future. It is funded primarily by the SPE Foundation through member donations, as well as a contribution from Offshore Europe. SPE appreciates the companies that allow their professionals to serve as lecturers and the additional support from AIME.
Current Position and Future Strategy
The main objectives for the forthcoming year, as well as the Trustees’ assessment of the Group’s actual performance for this year, are set out below:
Technical Meetings
In FY24, seven events (conferences and workshops) were held in Europe and the Caspian, attended by SPE professional members, students and non-members. Fewer events were held in FY24 compared to FY23 mainly because of the cyclical nature of some events and necessity to focus on the biennial SPE Offshore Europe, our flagship event in Europe. As we are now fully post-pandemic, there were no virtual events in FY24. The focus in FY24 was to drive effectiveness and efficiency of events we organise.
In FY25, SPE Europe will continue to develop its portfolio of events with particular focus on energy transition, portfolio competitiveness and sustainability. Special focus is also on boosting our presence in Caspian region and solidifying the SPE’s role as a point of reference for the industry.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Educational Programmes
SPE continues to maintain and add information to the Society’s online resources and educational publications and services.
OnePetro
OnePetro, a multi-society online library, contains over 1.3 million searchable documents from SPE as well as 23 other publishing partners. OnePetro is supported by subscriptions from academic and corporate institutions as well as individual paper sales. The technical resources available on OnePetro continue to grow with peer-reviewed journal articles as well as proceedings from conferences held worldwide being added monthly. The majority of papers are in the English language; however, there are also papers available in the Russian language.
Energy4Me
The Energy4me programme provides STEM education for school-aged children and their teachers through regional workshops and local classroom visits. 700+ SPE members have been trained to lead workshops benefiting more than 6,000 students and teachers worldwide. The programme offers resources in multiple languages, including the Oil and Natural Gas Book and teacher lesson plans.
Training Courses
Training courses are complementary to other events and are only held if there is sufficient minimal demand. There are few training courses planned for in FY25.
Scholarships and Fellowships
5 Scholarships and Fellowships are continuing to be awarded each year which are operated by staff in the SPE London Office and award students around the world. This includes the SPE Foundation Gus Archie Scholarship (one winner receiving USD 5,000 for up to 4 years), The SPE Foundation Nico van Wingen Graduate Fellowship (one winner receiving USD 5,000 for up to 4 years), The Henry DeWitt Smith Memorial Fellowship (one winner single payment of USD 5,000) and the Imomoh Scholarship (four winners with a single payment of USD 2,000). In November 2019 applications also opened for a new Scholarship called the Donald G. Russell Scholarship which gives 2 recipients studying in the USA, a one-time payment of USD 4,000 and the first payment went out in the summer of 2020.
From 2016, the Scholarships programme is administered by the Young Member Programs Team based in the UK, though payments are processed from SPE Headquarters in the USA.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Student Paper Contests
Up to 14 regional contests aim to be run each year with the winners offered an expenses paid trip to compete internationally at the SPE Annual Meeting to compete at an international level. Up to 42 winners (three per 14 regional contests) representing Undergraduate, Master’s and PhD can be invited. Depending on engagement with the program in each region, some regional contests may be combined or cancelled which may result in fewer winners and prizes given.
The winners are awarded funding to cover return flights, four nights’ accommodation, event registration and VISA costs if required. Where possible these costs are paid for directly but in some situations, reimbursements are made directly to students who have already covered the costs themselves. Winners of the international competition are awarded an additional financial prize of USD 1,000. This is administered processed by the Young Member Programs Team in UK, and payments processed from Headquarters in the USA.
The Student Paper Contest program has an ongoing relationship with Chevron who financially support the program each year to a sum of USD7,500. This amount is renegotiated each year.
Distinguished Lecture Programme
The purpose of the program is to provide SPE sections with outstanding speakers for section meetings, and to recognize the professional contributions of the selected Distinguished Lecturers. The program selects a small group of members who can show exceptional presentations relevant to the industry. These speakers are encouraged and supported to run their presentations by SPE for regional groups of members (Sections) around the world.
The program promotes SPE’s mission to connect a global community of engineers, scientists, and related energy professionals to exchange knowledge, innovate, and advance their technical and professional competence regarding the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas and related energy resources to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future. It is funded primarily by the SPE Foundation through member donations, as well as a contribution from Offshore Europe. SPE appreciates the companies that allow their professionals to serve as lecturers and the additional support from AIME.
Awards Programme
With awards presented at a regional and international level SPE members achieve recognition amongst their peers within the industry. Individual Members are nominated and judged in order to be recognized for technical achievements as well as outstanding contributions to members and the industry as a whole.
Certification Programme
SPE's Petroleum Engineering Certification program provides members with the opportunity to obtain a globally recognized credential as a petroleum industry professional.
Certification exams continue to be run to give a qualification for those who choose to study hard for and take this multidisciplinary open book exam. High value is placed by the industry on those who can claim achievement of this qualification.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Sections
Sections are located around the world and provide an operating framework for all major society activities. Sections are semi-autonomous units and self-governing within the framework of SPE policies. Section members elect officers and directors annually. Sections are organized into regions, and each region has representation on the SPE Board of Directors.
This structure allows for members based geographically close to each other the opportunity to network with other members through meetings and events at a local level. Some Sections are larger and some more active than others. In FY24 no new Sections were established. In FY25 new Sections will continue to be established as the membership continues to grow across the regions.
Student Chapters
Student Chapters are all affiliated with an academic establishment offering a relevant degree program related to the energy industry. In FY24 there was one new Student Chapter established within our Region. The university is based in Ukraine. In the coming year, new Chapters will continue to be established allowing SPE to continue the connection between students and our professional membership to secure the future of the industry workforce. There continues to be a strong growth in Student Chapters.
SPE Europe will continue to work in the year ahead to identify programmes and projects that meet our mission. The Trustees review new programmes regularly, which they can support and new projects are regularly assessed for their value.
Achievements and Performance
All of SPE’s initiatives and activities are directed and organised by its members, with staff support. All such initiatives and activities are regularly reviewed and assessed by the membership, by use of membership and non-membership surveys. In addition, rigorous Key Performance Indicators set by the SPE Board of Directors regularly review and measure performance in all areas of the Society’s work, including Publications and Periodicals, Technical Meetings and Conferences, Audit and Administration, Internet-Based Services and Member Services.
Risk Management
The Trustees have continued their overview during the year to examine the major strategic, business and operational risks which the charity faces. Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe and its related entities face multiple risks. These various risks are normal and customary as they relate to Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe’s business. In addition to management’s assessment of these risks, SPE’s internal audit function has been actively auditing SPE’s operations in London for over five years. Throughout this timeframe, internal audit has observed, and reports that, the risks listed below are effectively managed in accordance with standard SPE and industry practices.
Strategic Risks (External)
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Political unrest – political issues/changes, e.g. Russia, Middle East, Africa
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Economic environment – ‘Great Recession’, banking issues, stagnant economic growth
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Social activism – oil spill(s), public perception/image of oil industry
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Trustees’ report (continued) For the year ended 31 March 2024
- Cultural factors – diversity of religion(s), migration, aging of customer base
Business Operating and Financial Risks (Internal)
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Processes – support SPE’s mission; membership growth, event management
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Personnel – hiring, retention/attrition, training, growth
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Compliance – FCPA, UK Bribery Act, Charity Commission for England and Wales, Data Protection and privacy laws
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Sanctions – observing legal restrictions applicable to designated countries
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Traditional financial risks – addressed by the internal audit department; risk assessment, audit planning, systems and processes, evaluation of internal control(s) design, substantive testing of all major classes and categories of financial transactions, fraud awareness
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
External risks
SPE Europe’s management has remained aware of external risks and has taken measures, such as cancelling, moving and rescheduling events that might present security or safety risks to attendees, sponsors and staff. There are no examples where any known significant risk was ignored.
The current situation with Russia and Ukraine has had a major effect on the ability to run events in the Russia region. SPE has suspended all events in Russia as of March 2022 and has now liquidated the Russian branch since July 2023.
Internal risks
SPE Europe’s management has identified and improved its primary business processes consistently over time. Personnel levels are expanded or reduced as necessary and properly trained. Management has taken steps to ensure compliance with all applicable regulations promulgated by the governing bodies such as the Charity Commission for England and Wales and has acted proactively to ensure compliance with current regulations. Management has complied with all legal sanctions imposed by all governments involved. Financial risks have been assessed and evaluated by SPE’s Internal Audit department. Management has responded positively to recommendations made by Internal Audit.
Financial risk management objectives and policies
The Trustees constantly monitor the risks and uncertainties facing the Group with particular reference to the exposure on price, exchange rates, credit, liquidity and cash flow risks. Management has procedures in place whereby forward contracts may be used to hedge against foreign exchange risks and credit control procedures are tightly monitored in order to minimise liquidity and cash flow risks. They are confident that there are suitable policies in place and there are no material risks and uncertainties which have not been considered.
Reserves policy
The SPE Europe board regularly reviews the financial position and performance of the charity and its trading subsidiaries and is confident that, despite the current global downturn in oil prices, the organisation has sufficient resources to continue trading as a going concern for the foreseeable future.
The primary purpose of the Reserve Fund (the Fund) for the Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe (SPEU) and the aim of the Trustees' reserves policy is to make available a source of revenues to be used by SPEU or other subsidiaries of SPE Inc to:
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ensure the continuation of normal business activities should SPEU's operating revenues be insufficient to meet expenses during a period of sustained economic distress;
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provide risk funds for the development of member service programmes as approved by the SPE Inc Board of Directors; and
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accommodate minor annual operating surpluses and deficits that may occur from time to time.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
The corpus of the SPEU Reserve Fund shall be determined by the total resources expended as reported in the SPEU annual consolidated financial statement, as approved by the SPEU Board of Directors, averaged over a two-year period. Funds in the amount of one-half (6 months) the annual total resources expended should be accumulated for use in future capital expenditures and new ventures. Any amount over the target level for the Reserve Fund balance can be used for any purpose consistent with the Society’s charitable status and objects and as approved by the SPEU Board of Directors.
| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unrestricted funds | 6,038,290 | 5,680,000 | 5,520,290 |
| Less: Tangible fixed assets | (116,369) | (142,520) | (178,067) |
| Level of reserves available for purpose consistent | 5,921,921 | 5,537,480 | 5,342,223 |
| with the Society’s charitable status |
In line with our reserves policy, the target amount for the SPEU reserves fund for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 is calculated to be equivalent to £3.8m (2023: £4.0m). When compared to the target reserve fund balance of £3.8m, a surplus of £2.1m (2023: £1.5m) remains in the level of reserves available for charitable purposes.
Investment Policy and Performance
The charity's policy is to invest in funds whose risk profile is considered to be low to moderate. The aim is to achieve over a period of several years better returns than those achieved by funds with a similar risk profile. The charity’s portfolio has performed well for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 giving the charity a gain of £381k (2023: Loss of £309k).
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Financial Review
Details of the results of activity of the Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe itself are set out in the Statement of Financial Activities.
During the year the Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe consolidated Group had incoming resources from charitable activities of £3.2m (2023: £2.4m) and investment gains of £381k (2023: Loss of £309k), the Group has expended resources of £2.2m (2023: £2.9m). Taken together with gain on investment assets, there was a gain for the year of £1.4m (2023: Loss of £839k).
This year the Group’s income receivable from the joint ventures amounted to £2.5m (2023: Nil). The partnership with Reed Exhibitions continues to be of critical importance both to SPE Europe and to SPEI’s ability to deliver membership programmes such as the Distinguished Lecturer Programme.
At the end of the financial year the Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe consolidated Group carries forward net assets of £6,020,195 (2023: £4,614,849). Listed investments plus cash and bank deposits totalled £3,595,362 (2023: £4,684,486) at the financial year end, comfortably sufficient to meet the Group’s short-term obligations to creditors.
Operations
SPE Europe conducts its trading activities though its two trading subsidiaries, SPE Ventures Limited and SPE Trading Limited. During the year ended 31 March 2024, SPE Ventures Limited made an operating loss of £104,569 (2023: loss of £197,776). The company’s main operations relate to the staging of conferences, workshops and training courses for professionals who are employed in the oil and gas industry. During the year ended 31 March 2024, SPE Trading Limited made an operating gain of £2,353,839 (2023: gain of £167,708). The company’s main operations relate to the staging of joint venture conferences for professionals who are employed in the oil and gas industry.
The principal source of funding during the year continues to be income from conferences and workshops. In FY24, every effort has been made to keep costs as low as possible to ensure that events are not only relevant to the membership but also affordable. Local advice and recommendations continue to drive the programmes being produced in the emerging regions where events can act as a shop window on the Society and support our growth initiatives in these areas.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Highlights of this year’s event programme are as follows:
EuropEC , traditionally held in conjunction with the EAGE Annual, is known for its well-organized nature. This time EuropEC has also successfully fulfilled its contractual commitment by developing and delivering a strong quality technical program benefiting from superb abstract submissions (250 abstracts vs. 202 last year). A total of 14 technical sessions featuring 96 presentations were conducted, including four joint sessions with EAGE and two e-poster sessions.
The SPE program witnessed a strong attendance throughout, and the inclusion of new sessions focusing on CCS and Hydrogen greatly contributed to its vibrancy. While EAGE has yet to provide comprehensive event statistics, it is anticipated that there has been some growth in the exhibition and overall attendance compared to the previous year.
At the same time, we are extremely pleased that the number of ‘SPE only’ attendees almost doubled, from 100 last year to 183 today.
The first face-to-face SPE Offshore Europe in four years (organized in a partnership with RX, formerly Reed Exhibitions) celebrated the 50th anniversary edition at P&J Live, Aberdeen from 5-8 September and attracted 714 exhibitors and almost 30,000 attendees.
The conference organized by SPE was titled ‘Securing sustainable and equitable energy for the next 50 years and beyond’ was developed by the diverse Executive Committee and three Program Committees. Over the four days 12 panel sessions and 18 technical sessions featuring 116 papers were presented by 66 companies from 22 countries.
The largest ever program of energy sustainability, security and affordability topics was presented alongside talent investment and diversity events (TIDE) for the next generation of energy workforce. Hydrogen, offshore wind, CCS and other net zero technologies that will deliver lower carbon energy production in the decades ahead played a more prominent role than ever alongside a forward-looking oil and gas program.
The exhibition spanned more than 12,000 sqm net and welcomed 249 new exhibitors. 150 exhibitors were flagged as Energy Transition/Net Zero focused. It also included six show floor theatres: Energy Transition, Offshore Wind Hub, Hydrogen Hub, Future Talent Hub, Future Opportunities (with Decom Mission/BV) and Collaboration Zone.
The first face-to-face SPE Caspian Technical Conference and Exhibition in Azerbaijan in four years, organized in association with the Azerbaijan Society of Petroleum Geologists and hosted by the national oil company SOCAR, marked its 10th anniversary. It drew a record number of registered delegates, totaling 484 individuals representing 97 companies from 25 countries.
This event was a pivotal moment in CTC's transformation into a pan-regional success story. With major sponsors from Kazakhstan such as Tengizchevroil (TCO) and Chevron, and the presence of C-level executives from Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and the UAE, it underscored the growing regional significance and engagement across key industry players. This sets the stage for a more inclusive and impactful conference in the future.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Titled 'Caspian Rising: Collaborative Solutions to the Energy Trilemma,' the conference was crafted by a diverse Executive Committee. It commenced with an opening session featuring a moderated plenary debate. Over three days, there were five panel sessions and 22 technical sessions that showcased 170 papers from 64 companies across 25 countries. Simultaneously, a student development summit, attended by students from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, ran alongside the conference for all three days.
The conference was further enriched by a small exhibition, consisting of seven companies, which attracted high attendance and very positive feedback.
Plans for Future Periods
The key elements of the Charity’s medium to long-term strategy are:
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Capability Development
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Knowledge Transfer
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Promoting Professional and Social Responsibility
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Public Education about the Petroleum Engineering profession and industry issues
SPE’s programmes all strive to meet these strategic priorities fitting with the overall mission.
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Trustees’ report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities
The Trustees (who are also Directors of Society of Petroleum Engineers (Europe) Limited for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Annual Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under company law the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable Company and the Group and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable Company and the Group for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgments and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable Company will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the charitable Company’s transactions, disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable Company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006 and the provisions of the charity’s constitution. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Insofar as each of the trustees of the charity at the date of approval of this report is aware there is no relevant audit information (information needed by the charity’s auditor in connection with preparing the audit report) of which the charity’s auditor is unaware. Each trustee has taken all of the steps that he/she should have taken as a trustee in order to make himself/herself aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the charity’s auditor is aware of that information.
The Report of the Trustees, which includes the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report required by company law (included therein), was approved by the Board and signed on their behalf by:
Steven Fysne Steven Byrne
Trustee 27 September 2024
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Independent auditor’s report
For the year ended 31 March 2024
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited (the ‘parent charitable company’) and its subsidiaries (the ‘group’) for the year ended 31 March 2024 which comprise the Consolidated Statement of Financial Activities, the Consolidated and Company Balance Sheets, the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the group’s and the parent charitable company’s affairs as at 31 March 2024 and of the group’s incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the group and parent charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the group’s or parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
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Independent auditor’s report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Trustees’ Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.
Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Directors’ Report and the Strategic Report included within the Trustees’ Report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the group and the parent charitable company and their environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report or the Strategic Report included within the Trustees’ Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
-
adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent charitable company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
-
the parent charitable company financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
18 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Independent auditor’s report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
-
certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
-
we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities set out on page 14, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the group’s and parent charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the group or parent charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.
The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.
In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.
19 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Independent auditor’s report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the group audit engagement team:
-
obtained an understanding of the nature of the sector, including the legal and regulatory framework that the group and parent charitable company operates in and how the group and parent charitable company are complying with the legal and regulatory framework;
-
inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud;
-
discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud.
As a result of these procedures we consider the most significant laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements are FRS 102, Charities SORP (FRS 102), Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, the parent charitable company’s governing document and Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016. We performed audit procedures to detect non-compliances which may have a material impact on the financial statements which included reviewing the financial statements including the Trustees’ Report, remaining alert to new or unusual transactions which may not be in accordance with the governing documents and evaluating advice received from internal/external advisors.
The most significant laws and regulations that have an indirect impact on the financial statements are those in relation to data protection. We performed audit procedures to inquire of management whether the group is in compliance with these law and regulations.
The group audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls and revenue recognition as the areas where the financial statements were most susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud.
Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to testing manual journal entries and other adjustments and evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business and challenging judgments and estimates and testing income through tests of detail, including testing post year end receipts.
20 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Independent auditor’s report (continued)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is provided on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable company’s members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
RSA Uk awk
NICHOLAS SLADDEN (Senior Statutory Auditor)
For and on behalf of RSM UK AUDIT LLP, Statutory Auditor
Chartered Accountants
25 Farringdon Street
London
EC4A 4AB
Date. 1 October 2024
21 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Consolidated statement of financial activities
(Incorporating an income and expenditure account)
For the year ended 31 March 2024
| Notes Income from Charitable activities 2 Income from joint ventures 7 Investment income – Bank interest, dividends and interest Total Expenditure on: Raising funds Investment management costs Management fee Charitable activities 4 Total Gain/(Loss) on investments Net Income/(Expenditure) Reconciliation of funds Total funds brought forward Total funds carried forward |
2024 £ 701,708 2,527,873 19 3,229,600 - 59,171 2,126,916 2,186,087 380,928 1,424,441 4,613,849 6,038,290 |
2023 £ 2,364,735 - 41 |
|---|---|---|
| 2,364,776 | ||
| 1,400 103,619 2,854,952 |
||
| 2,959,971 | ||
| (309,721) | ||
| (904,916) 5,518,765 |
||
| 4,613,849 |
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of the financial statements
22 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Consolidated balance sheet
| Consolidated balance sheet | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At 31 March 2024 | |||||
| Registered number: 2778741 | |||||
| Notes | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 116,369 | 142,520 | ||
| Fixed asset investments | 10 | 3,253,706 | 4,122,778 | ||
| 3,370,075 | 4,265,298 | ||||
| Current assets | |||||
| Debtors | 11 | 3,246,568 | 592,080 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 341,656 | 561,708 | |||
| 3,588,224 | 1,153,788 | ||||
| Creditors:amounts falling due | |||||
| within one year | 12 | (919,009) | (804,237) | ||
| Net current assets | 2,669,215 | 349,551 | |||
| Net assets | 6,039,290 | 4,614,849 | |||
| Capital and funds | |||||
| Called-up share capital | 13 | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||
| Unrestricted funds | |||||
| General fund | 14 | 6,038,290 | 4,613,849 | ||
| Designated fund | 14 | - | - | ||
| Total capital and funds | 6,039,290 | 4,614,849 |
The financial statements were approved by the board and authorised for issue on 27[th] September 2024.
Steven Fysne
Steven Byrne
Trustee
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of the financial statements
23 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Company balance sheet
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Registered number: 2778741
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | |||
| £ | £ | ||
| Fixed assets | |||
| Tangible assets | 9 | 116,369 | 142,520 |
| Investments | 10 | 3,253,706 | 4,122,782 |
| 3,370,075 | 4,265,302 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Debtors | 11 | 2,835,036 | 2,350,470 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 304,686 | 153,087 | |
| 3,139,722 | 2,503,557 | ||
| Creditors:amounts falling due within one | |||
| year | 12 | (859,204) | (294,433) |
| Net current assets | 2,280,518 | 2,209,124 | |
| Net assets | 5,650,597 | 6,474,426 | |
| Capital and funds | |||
| Called-up equity share capital | 13 | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Unrestricted funds | |||
| General fund | 14 | 5,649,597 | 6,473,426 |
| Designated fund | 14 | - | - |
| Total capital and funds | 5,650,597 | 6,474,426 |
No separate statement of financial activities is presented for Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited as provided by Section 408 of the Companies Act 2006. The loss for the year for Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited for Companies Act 2006 purposes was £823,829 (2023: loss £808,697).
The financial statements were approved by the board and authorised for issue on 27[th] September 2024.
Steven Fysne
Steven Byrne
Trustee
The accompanying accounting policies and notes form an integral part of the financial statements.
24 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Consolidated cash flow statement for the year ended 31 March 2024 Registered number: 2778741
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | |||
| £ | £ | ||
| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||
| Net cash used in operating activities | (a) | (1,470,052) | (882,087) |
| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||
| Dividends | - | (1,400) | |
| Purchase of property, plant and equipment | - | - | |
| Proceeds from sale of investments | 1,250,000 | 750,000 | |
| Purchase of investments | - | - | |
| Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | 1,250,000 | 748,600 | |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents in the reporting | |||
| period | (220,052) | (133,487) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the reporting period |
561,708 | 695,195 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the reporting | |||
| period | 341,656 | 561,708 | |
| Note (a) – Reconciliation of cash flows from operating activities | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | ||
| Net expenditure for the reporting period | 1,424,441 | (904,916) | |
| Net cash used in operating activities | |||
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Depreciation charges | 26,151 | 29,928 | |
| Revaluation of Assets | - | 5,620 | |
| (Gains)/Losses on investments | (380,928) | 311,121 | |
| Dividends, interest and rent from investments | - | 1,400 | |
| (Increase)/decrease in debtors | (2,654,488) | (97,067) | |
| Increase/(decrease) in creditors | 114,773 | (228,173) | |
| Net cash used in operating activities | (1,470,052) | (882,087) | |
| Analysis of cash and cash equivalents | |||
| Cash in hand | 341,656 | 561,708 | |
| Notice deposits (less than 3 months) | - | - | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | 341,656 | 561,708 |
25 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements
for the year ended 31 March 2024
1. Accounting policies
A summary of the Group's principal accounting policies, all of which have been applied consistently throughout the year and the preceding year, is set out below.
a) Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS102) (second edition effective 1 January 2019) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) and the Charities Act 2011 and UK Generally Accepted Practice. The presentation currency of these financial statements is sterling and balances are rounded to the nearest whole £.
Society of Petroleum Engineers (Europe) Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102.
Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes.
The individual entity accounts of Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited have taken advantage of the disclosure exemption under FRS 102 to separately disclose categories of financial instruments and items of income, expenses, gains or losses relating to instruments as these have been presented on a Group basis in the notes to the accounts.
Income received in foreign currency is translated at the month end exchange rate to GBP. The Russian branch’s functional currency is Rubles.
b) Going concern
As highlighted in the report of the Trustees, having assessed the Group’s financial position, its plans for the foreseeable future and the risks to which it is exposed, the Trustees are satisfied that it remains appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.
The directors have reviewed the Group and Company’s financial position, its plans for the foreseeable future and the risks to which it is exposed. Taking into account future cash flows for the Company and the group support that is available to the Group from the ultimate parent entity, SPE Inc., there is little risk that the Group will not be able to continue as a going concern. On the above basis, the directors remain satisfied that it continues to be appropriate to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.
The Group continues to expect challenges going forward as the industry is still in the recovery phase from the impact of the pandemic. The Group will continue to review planning progress for upcoming events and future events. The Group is continually managing its operating expenditures and reserves effectively to safeguard the Group’s ability to continue as a going concern.
26 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
c) Basis of consolidation
The Group financial statements consolidate the accounts of Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited and all its subsidiary undertakings up to 31 March 2024. In the Company’s accounts, investments in subsidiary undertakings are stated at cost, less amounts written off.
The Group financial statements incorporate joint ventures under the equity method of accounting, supplemented by additional disclosures for joint ventures.
The Group’s results for the year are shown on page 22.
d) Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds comprise general funds where monies are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity and designated funds where monies are unrestricted, but they have been designated by the Trustees for a specific purpose.
e) Income
Investment income
Investment income relates to dividends and interest realised on investments and bank interest receivable. Investment income is accounted for on the accruals basis, other than dividend income, which is recognised on receipt.
Charitable activities
Income from charitable activities relates to conference income and represents amounts receivable (exclusive of VAT) from visitors to, and exhibitors at, petroleum conferences organised by the Group, together with donations from sponsor companies and other contributions. Conference and associated income is only recognised at the point at which the event is held and is deferred for events which occur in the next accounting period.
f) Expenditure
Raising Funds
Fundraising trading costs relate to management fees paid during the year. These costs are accounted for on an accruals basis.
27 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Investment management fee
These costs relate to fees charged by investment managers for managing the investment portfolio. These costs are accounted for on an accruals basis.
Charitable activities
Charitable activities comprise expenditure, including staff costs, directly attributable to the activity. Where costs cannot be directly attributed they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. These costs are accounted for on the accruals basis.
Governance costs
Governance costs relate to expenditure, including Board expenses, attributable to the costs of running the Board. These costs are accounted for on an accruals basis.
Support Costs
Support costs are broken down into two difference categories, Support Costs-Management and Support Costs-Other. Support costs-Management covers Overhead expenses adjusted downward for management time for Due and Member Programs and Governance Costs. Support costs – Other covers Operating expenses plus Audit, Legal and Board Expenses.
g) Tangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets are shown at original historical cost. Depreciation is provided on a straight line basis on all tangible fixed assets at rates designed to write off costs, less estimated residual values, over their expected useful lives, as follows:
Computer equipment - 3 to 5 years Fixtures, fittings and equipment - 5 to 10 years
h) Investments
Investments are stated at market value. Initial recognition of investments is at cost. It is the Group’s policy to keep valuations up to date such that when investments are sold, there is no gain or loss arising. As a result, the Statement of Financial Activities includes those unrealised gains and losses arising from the revaluation of the investment portfolio throughout the year, and realised gains and losses of investments disposed during the year. Disclosure is made in note 10 of the difference between the historical cost and the sale proceeds of the investments sold during the year.
i) Joint ventures
An entity is treated as a joint venture where the Group holds a long term interest and shares control under a contractual agreement.
28 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
In the Group accounts, interests in joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. The consolidated statement of financial activities indicates the Group’s share of the net interest in the joint ventures. In the consolidated balance sheet notes, amounts owing from the joint venture are disclosed.
j) Operating lease commitments
Rentals paid under operating leases are charged on a straight line basis over the lease term.
k) Foreign currency
In the accounts of individual undertakings, transactions denominated in foreign currencies are recorded in GBP at actual exchange rates as of the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the balance sheet date are reported at the rates of exchange prevailing at that date. Any gain or loss arising from a change in exchange rates subsequent to the date of the transaction is included as an exchange gain or loss in the statement of financial activities.
The results of overseas operations are translated at the average rate of exchange during the period. Balance sheet accounts are translated at the rate ruling at the balance sheet date.
l) Financial instruments
The Group has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method. Financial assets held at amortised cost comprise cash and bank and in hand, together with trade and other debtors. Financial liabilities held at amortised cost comprise bank loans and overdrafts, trade, other creditors and accruals.
Investments, including bonds held as part of an investment portfolio are held at fair value at the Balance Sheet date, with gains and losses being recognised within income and expenditure. Investments in subsidiary undertakings are held at cost less impairment.
m) Pension costs
The Group provides pensions to all employees through a funded defined contribution scheme. The amount expended in the statement of financial activities is the contributions payable in the year.
n) Company information
The charity is a private limited company, registered by shares (registered number 2778741), which is incorporated and domiciled in the England and Wales. The address of the registered office is Fourth Floor West, America House, 2 America Square, London EC3N 2LU.
o) Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty
In the application of the Group’s accounting policies, which are described in note 1, Trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent
29 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
from other sources. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an on-going basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects the current and future periods.
In the view of the Trustees, no assumptions concerning the future or estimation uncertainty affecting assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date are likely to result in a material adjustment to their carrying amounts in the next financial year.
2. Income from charitable activities
| Conference income Contribution income Total Income he geographic split of the turnover is as follows: Geographic Region UK Europe Caspian Russia |
Total 2024 £ 3,229,581 - |
Total 2023 £ 1,774,915 589,820 2,364,735 2023 £ 99,958 1,361,787 313,170 589,820 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| **3,229,581 ** | |||
| 2024 £ 2,622,687 221,425 385,469 - 3,229,581 |
|||
| 2,364,735 |
The geographic split of the turnover is as follows:
30 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
3. Net expenditure for the year
Net expenditure for the year is stated after charging:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Staff costs (see note 6) | 1,096,723 | 1,061,019 |
| Depreciation | 26,151 | 29,928 |
| Rent | 195,022 | 126,615 |
| Auditor’s remuneration | 64,495 | 59,675 |
| Non-audit services (tax compliance) | 8,250 | 8,250 |
| 1,390,641 | 1,285,487 |
4. Expenditure in respect of charitable activities
| Activities | Support | Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| undertaken | Support costs | costs | ||
| Activity | directly | management | other | 2024 |
| Conferences | 388,591 | 1,181,438 | 511,653 | 2,081,682 |
| Members’ | ||||
| Programmes | - | 20,306 | - | 20,306 |
| **388,591 ** | 1,201,744 | 511,653 | 2,101,988 | |
| Activities | Support | Total | ||
| undertaken | Support costs | costs | ||
| Activity | directly | management | other | 2023 |
| Conferences | 909,680 | 764,074 | 665,781 | 2,339,535 |
| Members’ | ||||
| Programmes | - | 449,266 | - | 449,266 |
| 909,680 | 1,213,340 | 665,781 | 2,788,801 |
Support costs are analysed as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Support costs: | ||
| Staff costs | 1,096,388 | 1,096,760 |
| Other operating expenses | 57,843 | 116,581 |
| Governance costs | 105,267 | 87,279 |
| Administration costs | 453,899 | 578,501 |
| 1,713,397 | 1,879,121 |
31 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
5. Governance costs
Governance costs are stated in respect of:
| External audit and taxation services Other financial services and consultancy Management salaries . Staff costs Wages and salaries Social security costs Other pension costs (note 14c) |
2024 £ 72,745 32,521 47,513 152,779 2024 £ 960,626 94,741 41,356 1,096,723 |
2023 £ 67,925 19,354 62,365 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149,644 | ||||
| 2023 £ 875,221 129,329 56,468 |
||||
| 1,061,018 | ||||
6. Staff costs
Staff costs exclude the salaries for 8 individuals totalling £459,956 (2023: £756,528) who are employed by the Group but work primarily for Society of Petroleum Engineers Inc and whose time has been re-charged to that entity.
The average number of employees, including Directors (who are Trustees), employed by the Group during the year was:
| Members programme Conference organization Support Sales & Marketing Management and administration |
2024 Number 3 7 3 3 5 21 |
2023 Number 3 7 3 3 7 |
|---|---|---|
| 23 |
The number of employees earning over £60,000 during the year, excluding pension contributions, was as follows :
| Income band £100,000 - £ 109,999 Income band £90,000 - £ 99,999 Income band £70,000 - £ 79,999 Income band £60,000 - £ 69,999 |
2024 Number 2023 Number 1 0 1 1 1 - - 1 |
|---|---|
32 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
Pension contributions to money purchasing pension scheme in respect of the above employees during the year were £8,644 (2023: £5,598).
In addition to the Trustees, Key management personnel of the charity comprise the Human Resources Director, the Events Director for Europe, Caspian and Sub-Saharan Africa, the Senior Manager for Sales and Business Development and the Senior Finance Manager. The costs for the Human Resources Director is re-charged to Society of Petroleum Inc.
The total employee benefits of the key management personnel of the charity were £364,240 (2023: £584,318).
Trustees' remuneration
The following Trustees received the following remuneration as employees of SPE Europe and/or the parent entity SPE Inc during the year:
| SPE Inc during the year: | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | Benefits | Total | |
| John Joseph Healy | 122,361 | 11,308 | 133,669 |
| Niki Thomas | 54,038 | 4,355 | 58,393 |
| Grigory Zarayskiy | **101,851 ** | 10,083 | **111,934 ** |
| Total | 278,250 | 25,746 | 303,996 |
None of the Trustees were remunerated for their services as Trustees. The Trustees expenses for the year amounted to £Nil (2023: £Nil).
7. Income from joint venture
The geographical analysis of the share of the Group’s profits from the joint ventures is as follows:
| 2024 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 2,527,873 | - |
| 2,527,873 | - |
8. Taxation
Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited is a registered charity and is not subject to UK corporation tax on profits from its charitable activities. The subsidiaries are not charities and are therefore subject to corporation tax on their profits.
33 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
9. Tangible fixed assets
| . Tangible fixed assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Group and Company Cost At beginning of year At end of year Depreciation At beginning of year Charge for the year At end of year Net book value At 1 April 2023 At 31 March 2024 |
Computer equipment £ 222,101 |
Fixtures, fittings and equipment £ 487,622 |
Total £ 709,723 |
| 222,101 201,710 6,962 208,672 20,391 13,429 |
487,622 365,493 19,189 384,682 122,129 102,940 |
709,723 | |
| 567,203 26,151 |
|||
| 593,354 | |||
| 142,520 | |||
| 116,369 |
All of the Company’s fixed assets are held for use on a continuing basis for the organisation of conferences.
| 0. Fixed asset investments Group 2024 2023 £ £ Listed investments 3,253,706 4,122,778 Subsidiary undertakings - - 3,253,706 4,122,778 |
Company 2024 2023 £ £ 3,253,706 4,122,778 4 4 3,253,710 4,122,782 |
Company 2024 2023 £ £ 3,253,706 4,122,778 4 4 3,253,710 4,122,782 |
|---|---|---|
| 4,122,782 |
10. Fixed asset investments
34 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Group has a 50% interest in two joint ventures E&P Events LLP, registered in England and Wales, and Offshore Europe Partnership. The partnerships hold biennial conferences for petroleum engineers. Audited accounts are prepared for the Offshore Europe Partnership every two years. The last Offshore Europe Partnership conference was held during the year ending 31 December 2023. The next Offshore Europe Partnership conference will be held in September 2025.
The Group is entitled to draw the whole of its share of the profit of both Offshore Europe Partnership and E&P Events LLP. The Group has received, as part of its entitlement under the Offshore Europe Partnership agreement, an amount of £2,527,873 (2023: £43,849), and under the E&P Events LLP agreement, an amount of £Nil (2023: £Nil) in the year ending 31 March 2024.
| The Group’s aggregate interests in the joint ventures are as follows; | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Turnover | 2,582,434 | - |
| Tangible fixed assets | ||
| Current assets | 2,582,434 | 56,845 |
| Liabilities due within one year | (54,561) | (56,781) |
| Net assets | 2,527,873 | 64 |
Included in incoming resources from charitable activities, in addition to conference programming income receivable, there are cost reimbursements, sponsorship and management fees from the two joint ventures amounting to £2,527,873 (2023 Nil).
Principal Group investments
The Company has two wholly-owned subsidiary undertakings at the year end: SPE Trading Limited and SPE Ventures Limited, both of which are registered in England and Wales (see note 16).
35 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
10. Fixed asset investments
Listed investments
| 10. Fixed asset investments Listed investments |
||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Market value as at beginning of year | 4,122,778 | 5,183,899 |
| Disposal proceeds | (1,250,000) | (750,000) |
| Net investment gain/(loss) in year | 380,928 | (311,121) |
| Market value at end of year | 3,253,706 | 4,122,778 |
| Historical cost at end of year | 2,627,941 | 3,740,875 |
| Unrealised gain at end of year | 625,765 | 381,903 |
| Realised gain on historical cost basis | 137,066 | 65,141 |
Listed investments comprise investments listed on the UK Stock Exchange.
11. Debtors: Amounts falling due within one year
| Group | Group | Company | Company | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 | 2023 | ||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Trade debtors | 387,400 | 225,246 | 387,400 | 387,400 | 26,737 | |
| Amount owed by related | ||||||
| entities | 58,459 | 272,042 | 58,459 | 58,459 | 189,196 | |
| Amounts owed by | ||||||
| subsidiary undertakings | - | 2,561 | 2,116,342 | 2,116,342 | 2,015,663 | |
| Other debtors | - | - | - | - | 27,746 | |
| Prepayments and | ||||||
| accrued income | 2,800,709 | 92,231 | 272,836 | 272,836 | 91,128 | |
| 3,246,568 | 592,080 | 2,835,037 | 2,835,037 | 2,350,470 |
36 Society of Petroleum Engineers Europe Limited
Notes to the financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
12. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
| Group | Group | Company | Company | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |||
| Trade Creditors | 193,486 | 410,398 | 187,026 | 69,443 | ||
| Amounts owed to related group | ||||||
| entities | 45,880 | 69,970 | 12,046 | - | ||
| Amount owed to subsidiary | ||||||
| undertakings | - | 575 | - | - | ||
| Taxation and social security | 67,374 | 51,528 | 77,739 | 38,171 | ||
| Other Creditors | - | - | - | - | ||
| Accruals and deferred income | 612,269 | 271,766 | 582,393 | 186,819 | ||
| 919,009 | 804,237 | 859,204 | 294,433 |
Deferred Income
Income deferred in the current year relates to advanced conference registrations, exhibition and sponsorship income for conferences taking place after 31 March 2024.
| Group | Company | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Balance as at 1 April 2023 | 38,745 | 38,745 |
| Amount released to incoming resources | (38,745) | (38,745) |
| Amount deferred in year | 285,412 | 285,412 |
| Balance as at 31 March 2024 | 285,412 | 285,412 |
37 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Notes to the financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
13. Called-up equity share capital
| 13. Called-up equity share capital | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2022 | |
| Group and Company | £ | £ |
| Allotted, called-up and fully-paid | ||
| 1,000 ordinary shares of £1 each | 1,000 | 1,000 |
14. Reconciliation of movements in capital and funds
| Net | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Balance 1 | gains/(losses) | Balance 31 | |||
| April 2023 | Income | on investment | Expenditure | March 2024 | |
| 2024 | |||||
| Group | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Called-up equity share | |||||
| capital | 1,000 | - | - | - | 1,000 |
| Unrestricted general funds | 5,613,849 | 3,229,600 | 380,928 | (2,186,087) | 7,038,290 |
| SPE Members Program fund | (1,000,000) | - | - | - | (1,000,000) |
| Total capital and funds | 4,614,849 | 3,229,600 | 380,928 | (2,186,087) | 6,038,290 |
| Company | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Called-up equity share | |||||
| capital | 1,000 | - | - | - | 1,000 |
| Unrestricted general funds | 6,473,426 | 829,518 | 380,928 | (2,034,275) | 5,649,597 |
| Total capital and funds | 6,474,426 | 829,518 | 380,928 | (2,034,275) | 5,650,597 |
| Net | |||||
| Balance 1 | gains/(losses) | Balance 31 | |||
| April 2022 | Income | on investment | Expenditure | March 2023 | |
| 2023 | |||||
| Group | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Called-up equity share capital | 1,000 | - | - | - | 1,000 |
| Unrestricted general funds | 6,518,765 | 2,364,776 | (309,721) | (2,959,971) | 5,613,849 |
| SPE Members Program fund | (1,000,000) | - | - | - | (1,000,000) |
| Total capital and funds | 5,519,765 | 2,364,776 | (309,721) | (2,959,971) | 4,614,849 |
| Company | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ |
| Called-up equity share capital | 1,000 | - | - | - | 1,000 |
| Unrestricted general funds | 6,429,725 | 2,943,576 | (309,721) | (2,590,154) | 6,473,426 |
| Total capital and funds | 6,430,725 | 2,943,576 | (309,721) | (2,590,154) | 6,474,426 |
38 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Notes to the financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
The Members Programme fund comprises funds designated by the Trustees to support the Members Programme, both of which are administered by the Company in line with the funding programme set out in the 2023 strategic plan. The level of funding made available to these programmes will be reviewed annually by the Board.
Transfers represent the intercompany funds transfer between SPE Europe Limited and its subsidiaries, SPE Trading Limited and SPE Ventures Limited.
15. Guarantees and financial commitments
a. Capital commitments
At the end of the year, there were no capital commitments (2023: £Nil).
b. Lease commitments
At 31 March 2024 the Group and Company had aggregate minimum lease payment commitments under noncancellable operating leases as follows:
| Group | Company | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Operating leases for land and | ||||
| buildings, which expire: | ||||
| In less than one year | 52,370 | 157,110 | 52,370 | 157,110 |
| one to 5 years | ||||
| - | 52,370 | - | 52,370 |
c. Pension arrangements
The Group provides defined contribution pension schemes for all employees.
The amount charged to the statement of financial activities is the contributions payable in the year and amounted to £41,355 (2023: £56,468).
d. Contingent liabilities
As a partner in Offshore Europe Partnership and E & P Events LLP, SPE Trading Limited is jointly and severally liable, without limit, for the debts of the partnerships. In the event that either partnership fails to pay any debt for which it has primary liability or is unable to pay amounts due, creditors may look directly to SPE Trading Limited for settlement of their debts or obligations.
39 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Notes to the financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
16. Subsidiary undertakings
| Turnover Income from joint venture Costs Net (Loss)/Gain Interest receivable (Loss)/Profit before tax Tax charge (Loss)/Profit before tax Retained earnings at start of year Gift Aid payment Retained earnings at end of year Net (Liabilities)/Assets |
SPE Ventures Limited £ - - (104,569) (104,569) - (104,569) - (104,569) (1,952,906) - (2,057,475) (2,057,473) |
SPE Trading Limited £ - 2,544,553 (191,714) |
|---|---|---|
| 2,352,839 - |
||
| 2,352,839 - |
||
| 2,352,839 | ||
| 93,329 | ||
| - | ||
| 2,446,168 | ||
| 2,446,170 |
The Company owns the whole of the issued ordinary share capital of SPE Ventures Limited and SPE Trading Limited, both companies being registered in England (company no. 02538982 and 02365974) and sharing the same registered office as SPE Europe (see note 1).
The Group conducts its trading activities through its, SPE Europe Limited and SPE Trading Limited. These companies organise and hold workshops, training courses and conferences to further the aims of the charitable organisation. SPE Ventures Limited will be dissolved in the future once all debt obligations have been paid.
The value of the parent Company’s investment in each of its subsidiary companies is £2. SPE Ventures Limited and SPE Trading Limited are registered at the Company's offices at 4[th] Floor West, America House, 2 America Square, London EC3N 2LU.
40 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED
Notes to the financial Statements (continued)
for the year ended 31 March 2024
17. Ultimate parent undertaking
The ultimate parent company and controlling related party is Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Inc, registered at 222 Palisades Creek Drive, Richardson, Texas 75080 USA.
At year end, the Group had the following related party transactions and year end balances with Group entities:
| Transactions | Transactions | Receivable | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| charged to | charged from | from related | ||
| related parties | related parties | party at year | Payable to related | |
| in the year | in the year | end | party at year end | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| 2024 | ||||
| SPE International | - | (26,310) | 58,459 | (33,834) |
| SPE Canada | - | - | - | - |
| SPE Foundation | - | - | - | - |
| SPE Middle East | - | (1,380) | - | (12,046) |
| SPE Asia Pacific | - | - | - | - |
| SPE sections and | ||||
| chapters | - | - | - | - |
| - | (27,690) | 58,459 | (45,880) | |
| 2023 | ||||
| SPE International | - | (32,543) | 272,042 | - |
| SPE Canada | - | - | - | - |
| SPE Foundation | - | - | - | - |
| SPE Middle East | 704 | (67,932) | 1,511 | (69,970) |
| SPE Asia Pacific | - | - | - | - |
| SPE sections and | ||||
| chapters | - | - | - | - |
| 704 | (100,475) | 273,553 | (69,970) |
18. Financial instruments
The charity held assets at fair value through income and expenditure of £3,253,706 (2023: £4,122,778). Movements in the year through the statement of financial activities comprised income of £Nil (2023: £Nil) and gain of £380,928 (2023: loss of £311,121).
- Subsequent Events – The SPE Europe office in London was closed on 30 June 2024. SPE will retain eight employees in the United Kingdom supporting SPE global programs as well as continuing to Support Offshore Europe and other events in the Europe and Caspian regions. SPE plans to dissolve SPE Ventures Ltd within the next year.
41 SOCIETY OF PETROLEUM ENGINEERS EUROPE LIMITED