Salamander raises interest in Bangkanai PSC

UK oil and gas company Salamander Energy Plc said that it has agreed to acquire the full authorized share capital of Elnusa Chariot International Limited (Chariot), which holds an 11 percent interest in Bangkanai PSC.

Salamander is the operator of the Bangkanai PSC and on completion of the transaction will hold an 80 percent interest in the license. Salamander is acquiring Chariot from PT Elnusa Patra Ritel for a cash consideration of US$6 million.

Before the acquisition, Salamander has 69 percent operated interest in the block.

The Bangkanai PSC is located in Central Kalimantan, one of the company?s core focus areas. It contains the Kerendan gas field development where a Gas Sales Agreement was signed in the first half of 2011 for the supply of 20 BBTU per day for a period of 20 years.

The commercialization of this gas resulted in approximately 16.5 MMBOE of proved and probable (2P) reserves being bookable net to Salamander, it said.

In addition, the field contains a further 31.9 MMBOE of gross contingent resource and is expected to be ready to deliver gas in mid-2013. As a result of this transaction, Salamander will be in a position to book an additional 2.6 MMBOE of net 2P reserves and 3.5 MMBOE of net contingent resources.

In addition to the Kerendan field development, the Bangkanai PSC has extensive exploration potential, the company said.

The DrillCo-1 land rig is due to mobilize to the Kerendan field site next month ahead of both development drilling and exploration drilling on the West Kerendan and Sungai Lahei prospects.

The company said exploratory drilling on West Kerendan and Sungai Lahei will target approximately 900 BCF of gross mean prospective resource. (romel/roffie)