Continental Energy acquires stake in Sumatra PSC
Tuesday, August 5 2008 - 11:22 PM WIB
The deal is effective as of June 1, 2008 and will close subject to and after receipt of a waiver or expiry of a right of first offer, an Alberta court order approving the disposition by Ernst & Young as Receiver of Fuel-X International Ltd., and approval of the assignment of PSC interest by Indonesian authorities, the company said.
Continental paid a cash deposit of $1,500,000 on signature of the definitive sales and purchase agreement. At closing Continental shall pay an additional $13,500,000 cash, adjusted for production income since June 1, 2008, plus issue 12,320,000 newly created Series-A preferred shares each having face value $1.00.
The Tungkal PSC encompasses an area of 2,285 square kilometers (approximately 565,500 acres) held by production until August 25, 2022. It is operated by Pearl Oil (Tungkal) Ltd., a subsidiary of Pearl Energy Ltd., an Abu Dhabi owned company, who holds the remaining 70% working interest.
The Tungkal PSC currently produces on average at a rate of about 1,000 BOPD from the Mengoepeh Field. The field was placed on production in December 2004 and a southern extension of the field was discovered in 2007. Pursuant to a plan of development filed with Indonesian authorities in early 2008, the operator plans to drill 16 new development wells on the southern extension, starting in last quarter 2008, with the objective of completing it by early 2010 and increasing production to 4,500 BOPD.
"We recognize the significant exploration upside in the Tungkal Block. Two prospects in particular will most likely be drilled at the close of the 16 well development drilling program. The availability of 3D seismic coverage over the Mengoepeh Field itself also bodes well for additional extensions of the field, " Continental's Exploration Manager, Andrew T. Eriksson.(alex)