TAMPA, Fla., March 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (NASDAQ:OMEX), a pioneer in the
field of deep-ocean exploration, reported results for the full year ended December 31, 2017, and provided an update on current
projects.
Don Diego Project
On March 21, 2018, the 11-judge panel of the Superior Court of the Federal Court of Administrative Justice in Mexico ruled
unanimously in favor of Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.’s (“Odyssey”) subsidiary, Exploraciones Oceánicas, S. de R.L. de C.V.
(“ExO”), nullifying the denial of ExO’s environmental permit application for the extraction of phosphate sand from its “Don Diego”
project. Odyssey holds a 53.88% interest in ExO. To move to the next phase of development of the deposit, Odyssey and its
subsidiaries need the approval of the environmental permit application, which is anticipated in due course as a result of this
decision. However, until the judicial decision is published, any further details about the status or timing of the permit would be
speculative. Odyssey will provide additional information regarding this matter once details appropriate for public disclosure
become available to Odyssey.
The “Don Diego” project is expected to deliver significant economic and social benefits to Mexico in the form of job creation,
lowered fertilizer pricing, increased crop yields, generation of tax revenues, and the funding of programs that will promote the
protection and enhancement of the marine environment.
Phosphate, which will be the product of the dredging project, is a key and irreplaceable component of fertilizers. The location
of the “Don Diego” deposit makes it an attractive potential sourcing site for the Mexican fertilizer and agricultural industry. The
deposit, which is centered more than 22 km offshore in the Pacific Ocean at an average of 80 meters deep is well within reach of
standard dredging equipment.
Contracted Projects
Currently planned or operational shipwreck and mineral projects are typically conducted under leveraged contract models whereby
Odyssey is paid to perform offshore services while retaining a significant back-end share of the future net proceeds from these
projects. The combined potential cash flows from these projects are expected to fund operations for multiple years while
simultaneously increasing the value of projects in which the company has an equity ownership position.
Operations are currently underway on a contracted project that is expected to begin generating cash in 2018 to fund company
operations and is forecast to produce cash returns for a minimum 12-18 months.
Planning continues for recovery of phosphate sands from the “Don Diego” project so that preliminary operations can commence soon
after environmental approval is received. Odyssey is under contract to provide a variety of services related to this the project
once approvals are in place. This contract has the potential to produce several million dollars in positive cashflows and enhance
the value of Odyssey’s investment in this project.
Several other new subsea mineral projects that will require offshore exploration work and resource evaluation by
Odyssey are currently under development. We anticipate receiving additional contracts during 2018 to provide services for
these new projects, which are expected to produce cashflows and potentially equity stakes in these projects for Odyssey.
Management Commentary
“Odyssey is making great progress already in 2018 on both the mineral and contracted shipwreck elements of our business, and we
received notification from NASDAQ on March 8th that we had regained compliance with all listing requirements. The recent
ruling by the Mexican Superior Court is a big step towards the ultimate issuance of the environmental permit, which will allow us
to confirm that the ‘Don Diego’ deposit can produce cost-effective phosphate for much-needed fertilizer in an environmentally
responsible manner,” said Mark Gordon, Odyssey chief executive officer.
“Offshore operations cannot commence until the environmental permit is issued. The project will use standard dredging ships and
equipment that have been operating for decades in Mexican waters with a proven track record of minimal environmental impacts.
Additionally, the monitoring and mitigation programs, confirmed through extensive testing and modeling by independent experts,
assure minimal impact to and rapid recovery rates of the environment throughout the process.
“In addition to planning activities for the ‘Don Diego’ project, our marine operations team continues to deliver results in the
deep ocean. In our November update we noted that a major project would commence after delivery and testing of specialized
equipment. That testing has been completed, and our team is currently actively engaged in offshore operations on a contracted
project in which we have a significant back-end interest.
“As we continue Odyssey’s transformation, shifting to a partnership model and focusing on minerals, we are becoming more
efficient and focused while driving cash flows to fund operations. Those efforts are continuing to pay off with a
37% reduction in total operational expenses in 2017 compared to 2016, as well as a 60% reduction in operating expenses
compared to 2015. Between our current projects, projects in development and efficiency improvements, we’re looking forward to
delivering exceptional results for our shareholders in 2018.”
2017 Financial Results
Total revenues decreased by $3.4 million in 2017 as compared to 2016. Revenue in 2017 came exclusively
from shipwreck explorations for Magellan whereas 2016 includes an executed marine survey services contract as well as shipwreck
exploration services for Magellan.
Marketing, general and administrative expenses decreased from $7.9 million in 2016 to $6.2 million in
2017. The decrease of $1.8 million was primarily due to (a) a decrease of $1.9 million related personnel expenses resulting
from regular, incentive and share-based compensation, (b) an increase of $0.4 million in admiralty legal support and (c) $0.2
million reduction in general corporate overhead supportive expenses.
For 2017, Operations and research expenses were $3.4 million compared to $8.3 million for the same period in
2016. The variance of $4.8 million was primarily due to (a) a $4.3 million reduction of marine services costs, which include
technical crew costs as well as other marine operational costs such as equipment rental, fuel, port fees and consumables and (ii) a
decrease of $0.5 million in general operations support services overhead, which includes insurance expenses, depreciation, travel
and professional services. 2016 included the full-time operations of our vessel, the Odyssey Explorer, which was sold in
mid-2016. The 2016 $1.0 gain on the sale of marine assets was due to the sale of the Odyssey Explorer and one other marine
asset.
The net loss for 2017 was $7.8 million or $(0.95) per share, as compared to a net loss of $6.3 million or
$(0.84) per share in 2016.
Consolidated financial statements as well as Odyssey's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, are
available on the company's website at www.odysseymarine.com as well as at www.sec.gov.
About Odyssey Marine Exploration
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. (Nasdaq:OMEX) is engaged in deep-ocean exploration using innovative methods and state-of-the-art
technology to provide access to critical resources worldwide. Our core focus is the discovery, development and extraction of
deep-ocean minerals. Odyssey also provides marine services for private clients and governments. For additional details, please
visit www.odysseymarine.com.
Forward Looking Information
Odyssey Marine Exploration believes the information set forth in this Press Release may include "forward looking statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of
the Securities Act of 1934. Certain factors that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements are set forth in "Risk Factors" in Part I, Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2017, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2018. The financial and
operating projections as well as estimates of mining assets are based solely on the assumptions developed by Odyssey that it
believes are reasonable based upon information available to Odyssey as of the date of this release. All projections and estimates
are subject to material uncertainties, and should not be viewed as a prediction or an assurance of actual future performance. The
validity and accuracy of Odyssey's projections will depend upon unpredictable future events, many of which are beyond Odyssey's
control and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that Odyssey's assumptions will prove true or that its projected results will
be achieved.
Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits mining companies, in their filings with the SEC, to disclose
only those mineral deposits that a company can economically and legally extract or produce. We use certain terms in this press
release, such as "measured", "indicated," "inferred" and "resources," which the SEC guidelines strictly prohibit us from including
in our filings with the SEC. "Inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great
uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource
will ever be upgraded to a higher category. U.S. investors are cautioned not to assume that part or all of the inferred mineral
resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable, and are urged to consider closely the disclosures in our Form 10-K which
may be secured from us or from the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.
CONTACT:
Laura Barton
Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc.
(813) 876-1776 x 2562
laura@odysseymarine.com
