2013 and fourth quarter results published
SAINT HELIER, Jersey, April 28, 2014 /CNW/ - In 2013, LONGREACH OIL AND
GAS LIMITED (TSXV: LOI) (the Company or Longreach) successfully
advanced its exploration programme completing one promising well and
setting the stage for a highly prospective second well currently
drilling ahead. The Company's first exploration well, Koba-1 on its
operated Sidi Moktar exploration licence, encountered very encouraging
natural gas resource potential that indicated an estimated 45 metres of
reservoir potential. Longreach is currently drilling a second
exploration well, Kamar-1, on the property and has set casing above the
first targeted reservoir. Future operational activity in the Sidi
Moktar area will be determined after the completion, analysis and
interpretation of the Koba-1 well and the Kamar-1 well. Longreach also
plans to participate in an exploration well being drilled on its
non-operated Sidi Moussa Offshore licence in the third quarter of 2014.
The Company exited 2013 with cash of US$12.7 million and raised an
additional CAD$9.7 million through a private placement in April 2014.
Longreach intends to evaluate additional financing opportunities in
2014.
Longreach today filed its annual financial statements for the year ended
December 31, 2013, together with its Management's Discussion and
Analysis in respect of the Company's financial results for the year
ended December 31, 2013. These documents are available on the Longreach
website at www.longreachoilandgas.com or under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Highlights
Financial:
-
Cash position as at December 31, 2013, of US$12.7 million (US$34.2
million as at December 31, 2012; US$21.3 million as at September 30,
2013)
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Working capital as at December 31, 2013, of US$3.9 million (US$32.6
million as at December 31, 2012; US$18.9 million as at September 30,
2013)
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Subsequent to year-end, completed an interim debenture financing of
CAD$9.7 million in April 2014 and intends to obtain further financing
in 2014, which may include a rights offering or private placement
Operations Summary:
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Sidi Moktar:
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Commenced drilling of the Koba-1 well, targeting Lower Liassic and Upper
Triassic clastic reservoirs. The Koba-1 well was drilled to a total
depth of 3,100 metres and operations were completed in early January
2014. The well encountered a gross interval of approximately 45 metres
with reservoir potential.
-
On March 20, 2014, the Company commenced drilling of the Kamar-1 well,
targeting a Lower Liassic reservoir and Triassic clastic reservoirs.
The Kamar-1 well has a planned total depth of 3,500 metres and
operations are anticipated to take approximately 70 days.
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Following the Kamar-1 well, the Company will review the forward
operational programme.
-
Foum Draa Offshore:
-
In late October 2013, the operator, Cairn Energy plc (Cairn Energy),
commenced drilling the FD II-Alpha-1 exploration well located in 1,500
metres of water approximately 120 kilometres offshore of Morocco. The
well was drilled to a total depth of 5,255 metres (subsea), but did not
encounter clastic reservoirs. The well has been plugged and abandoned.
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Sidi Moussa Offshore:
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Longreach has been advised that the operator, Genel Energy plc (Genel),
has secured a rig to drill an exploration well targeting the
Mid-Jurassic and Lower Triassic reservoirs in the third quarter of
2014.
Operational Update
Sidi Moktar Onshore (Net Working Interest 50%)
Longreach has a 50 percent operating interest in the onshore Sidi Moktar
exploration licence. Sidi Moktar is comprised of three blocks (Sidi
Moktar West, Sidi Moktar South and Sidi Moktar North) totalling 2,683
square kilometres, which cover the majority of the hydrocarbon basin of
Essaouira, located in central onshore Morocco. The blocks surround the
producing Meskala field, which is considered Morocco's major producing
field and operated by the Office National des Hyrdocarbures et des
Mines (ONHYM), the Moroccan state energy company. In 2011, the Meskala
field produced approximately 3.6 million cubic feet per day of natural
gas and 168 barrels per day of condensate from the Triassic reservoir.
Four fields within Sidi Moktar have historically produced 30.5 billion
cubic feet (Bcf) of gas from Jurassic-aged reservoirs.
Sidi Moktar has a significant amount of historical exploration data
available, including 6,172 kilometres of 2D seismic, and 43 exploration
and development wells. Longreach has interpreted over 4,500 kilometres
of existing 2D seismic data and has completed the reprocessing of 1,750
kilometres of this data. Longreach has also completed comprehensive
petrophysical and petrographic analyses of the neighbouring wells and
outcrop sections to better understand the reservoir and seal potential
of the Lower Liassic and Triassic stratigraphic sections. Subsequently,
a portfolio of 12 prospects and leads has been mapped, ranked and
risked.
On November 15, 2013, Longreach announced an updated independent
technical report (effective date June 30, 2013) of the Company's
petroleum assets, including the Sidi Moktar licence, that was prepared
by Gaffney, Cline & Associates (GCA), a qualified reserves evaluator in
accordance with National Instrument 51-101 requirements using the
Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook. GCA confirmed that
Longreach's reinterpretation of the seismic and other data had resulted
in a new model for the structural evolution of the Sidi Moktar area and
concurs with Longreach's interpretation that the anticlines are more
likely formed by inversion of Permo-Triassic half grabens. As a result,
there is potential for hydrocarbon bearing clastic reservoirs to be
found below Jurassic carbonate seals. GCA's best estimate of unrisked
prospective resources are 420 Bcf of natural gas and 25.1 million
barrels (MMbbl) of condensate for the Koba prospect, with a geological
chance of success of 25 percent, and 91 Bcf of natural gas and 6.1
MMbbl of condensate for the Kamar Subcrop prospect, with a geological
chance of success of 11 percent. The Kamar-1 well is expected to test
the Kamar Subcrop, as well as the Kamar Onlap prospect
(stratigraphically above the Kamar Subcrop) to which GCA estimated 232
Bcf of natural gas and 13.9 MMbbl of condensate, with a geological
chance of success of six percent.
During 2013, the Company commenced drilling of the Koba-1 well,
targeting the Lower Liassic and Upper Triassic clastic reservoirs. The
Koba-1 well was drilled to a total depth of 3,100 metres and operations
were completed in early January 2014. The well encountered a gross
interval of approximately 45 metres with reservoir potential. Over this
section, a gas influx of over 10 percent was encountered throughout the
interval with heavier hydrocarbon components of condensate (over C5+).
The Koba-1 well is currently suspended and the Company is reviewing the
logs to assess the options available.
On March 20, 2014, the Company commenced drilling of the Kamar-1 well,
targeting a Lower Liassic and Triassic clastic reservoirs. The Kamar-1
well has a planned total depth of 3,500 metres and operations are
anticipated to take approximately 70 days. The Company plans to review
the forward operational programme following the completion of the
Kamar-1 well.
Sidi Moussa Offshore (Net Working Interest 1.5%) and Foum Draa Offshore
(Net Working Interest 2.5%)
In September 2009, Longreach agreed to terms to earn a 7.5 percent net
working interest in the Sidi Moussa Offshore licence and the Foum Draa
Offshore licence. Located directly west of the coastal city of Agadir,
the two licences cover an area of approximately 12,714 square
kilometres.
On August 23, 2012, Longreach entered into a farm-out agreement with
Genel whereby Genel acquired a 60 percent operating equity interest in
the Sidi Moussa Offshore licence proportionally from Longreach and each
of its joint venture partners. Genel paid its equity interest share of
past costs, being US$129,990 net to Longreach, and is expected to pay
the first US$50 million towards drilling of the commitment well
(including ONHYM's 25 percent carried interest) required under the
terms of the First Extension Period of the Sidi Moussa Licence.
Longreach's net interest in the Sidi Moussa Offshore licence has been
reduced from 7.5 percent to 1.5 percent as a result Genel's farm-in.
The Company has been advised by Genel that an offshore exploration well
targeting Mid-Jurassic / Lower Triassic reservoirs is anticipated to be
drilled in the third quarter of 2014.
On August 28, 2012, Longreach entered into a farm-out agreement with
Cairn whereby Cairn acquired a 50 percent operating equity interest in
the Foum Draa Offshore licence proportionally from Longreach and each
of its joint venture partners. In 2013, Cairn paid its equity interest
share of past costs, being US$150,000 net to Longreach, and paid the
first US$60 million towards drilling of the FD-1 exploration well
(including ONHYM's 25 percent carried interest), a commitment well
under the terms of the First Extension Period of the Foum Draa Licence.
Longreach's net interest in the Foum Draa exploration licence has been
reduced from 7.5 percent to 2.5 percent as a result of Cairn's farm-in.
In late October 2013, Cairn commenced drilling the FD II-Alpha-1
exploration well located in 1,500 metres of water approximately 120
kilometres offshore of Morocco. The well was drilled to a total depth
of 5,255 metres (subsea), but did not encounter clastic reservoirs
where the primary target was a Late Jurassic and Early Cretaceous
deep-water turbidite slope fan. It did penetrate the oldest
stratigraphic section of any deep water exploration well along the
Moroccan margin. The well was subsequently plugged and abandoned.
Zag Basin Onshore (Net Working Interest 22.5%)
The operator of the Zag Basin, San Leon Energy Plc, completed a 15,000
square kilometre aeromagnetic survey and a 1,674 kilometre 2D seismic
survey on the licence in January 2012, largely on the eastern part of
the property area. This was the first seismic data ever acquired on
this licence. Interpretation of the surveys has indicated a portfolio
of structural leads.
Having successfully completed the minimum work programme obligations for
the Initial Period of the exploration licence, the joint venture
partners elected to move into the First Extension Period. The First
Extension Period has a minimum work programme requirement for one well
to test either the Ordovician formation or to drill to a minimum depth
of 3,000 metres by May 2015.
About Longreach
Longreach is an independent Canadian oil and gas company focused on its
significant land position in Morocco. The Company has a 50 percent
operated interest in the Sidi Moktar licence area covering 2,683 square
kilometres and is working closely with ONHYM as a committed long-term
partner to unlock the hydrocarbon potential of the region. Morocco
offers a politically stable environment to work within and has
favourable fiscal terms to energy producers. Longreach is a public
company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "LOI".
Additional information about the Company can be found at www.longreachoilandgas.com and under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.
Special Note Regarding Analogous Information
Although the Company believes that production on the Meskala field,
which is adjacent to the Sidi Moktar licences, may indicate that
production is possible from the Koba structure, no assurance can be
given by the Company that commercial production on any of the Sidi
Moktar exploration licences will be achieved, or as to the levels of
production that may be possible on any of the Sidi Moktar exploration
licences if production is achieved.
Special Note Regarding Estimates
The unrisked prospective resources described above have been estimated
using probabilistic methods and are dependent on a petroleum discovery
being made.
Prospective resources are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of
a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered
accumulations by application of future development projects.
Prospective resources have both an associated chance of discovery and a
chance of development. Prospective resources are further subdivided in
accordance with the level of certainty associated with recoverable
estimates assuming their discovery and development and may be
subclassified based on project maturity. The prospective gas and
condensate resources in the GCA report indicate exploration
opportunities and quantify the development potential in the event a
commercial discovery is made and should not be construed as reserves or
contingent resources. The prospective resources set out in the tables
above are those undiscovered, highly speculative gas and condensate
resources estimated beyond gas and condensate reserves or contingent
gas and condensate resources where geological and geophysical data
suggest the potential for discovery of petroleum but where the level of
proof is insufficient for classification as reserves or contingent
resources. The unrisked prospective gas and condensate resources are
the range of volumes that GCA estimates could reasonably be expected to
be recovered in the event of discovery and development of these
resources.
Definitions
The following terminology, consistent with the COGE Handbook and
guidance from Canadian securities regulatory authorities, was used to
prepare the disclosure relating to the prospective gas and condensate
resources above.
"Best Estimate" (Best) is considered to be the best estimate of the quantity of
resources that will actually be recovered. It is equally likely that
the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than
the best estimate. Those resources that fall within the best estimate
have a 50 percent confidence level that the actual quantities recovered
will equal or exceed the estimate.
"Low Estimate" (Low) is considered to be a conservative estimate of the quantity of
resources that will actually be recovered. It is likely that the actual
remaining quantities recovered will exceed the low estimate. Those
resources at the low end of the estimate range have the highest degree
of certainty - a 90 percent confidence level - that the actual
quantities recovered will equal or exceed the estimate.
"High Estimate" (High) is considered to be an optimistic estimate of the quantity of
resources that will actually be recovered. It is unlikely that the
actual remaining quantities of resources recovered will meet or exceed
the high estimate. Those resources at the high end of the estimate
range have a lower degree of certainty - a 10 percent confidence level
- that the actual quantities recovered will equal or exceed the
estimate.
Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such
forward-looking statements relate to future events or the Company's
future performance. All statements other than statements of historical
fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "may",
"will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe",
"estimate", "predict", "project", "potential", "targeting", "intend",
"could", "might", "continue" or the negative of these terms or other
similar terms. Forward-looking statements in this press release
include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the drilling of
the Karmar-1 well at the Company's operated Sidi Moktar onshore license
area in Morocco; the ability of the Company to successfully complete
the drilling programme at Kamar-1 over the next few weeks; the
completion of evaluations and processing and interpretation of data,
the performance characteristics of the Company's oil and gas
properties, capital expenditure programmes, supply and demand for oil,
gas and commodities, prices for oil and gas, drilling plans, and
realization of the anticipated benefits of acquisitions.
Forward-looking statements are only predictions. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially
from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Some of the
risks and other factors which could cause results to differ materially
from those expressed in the forward-looking statements contained in
this press release include, but are not limited to: general economic
conditions in Canada, the Kingdom of Morocco and globally; completing
the proposed drilling programme at Kamar-1 in a timely and fiscally
prudent manner; industry conditions, including fluctuations in the
price of oil and gas, governmental regulation of the oil and gas
industry, including environmental regulation; fluctuation in foreign
exchange or interest rates; risks inherent in oil and gas operations;
political risk, including geological, technical, drilling and
processing problems; unanticipated operating events which could cause
commencement of drilling and production to be delayed; the need to
obtain consents and approvals from industry partners, regulatory
authorities and other third-parties; stock market volatility and market
valuations; competition for, among other things, capital, acquisitions
of reserves, undeveloped land and skilled personnel; incorrect
assessments of the value of acquisitions or resource estimates; any
future inability to obtain additional funding, when required, on
acceptable terms or at all; credit risk; changes in legislation; any
unanticipated disputes or deficiencies related to title matters;
dependence on management and key personnel; and risks associated with
operating in and being part of a joint venture.
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release
are based upon factors and assumptions which management of the Company
believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure that actual
results will be consistent with its expectations and assumptions.
Material factors and assumptions which management of the Company has
considered in connection with making the forward-looking statements in
this press release include that the Company will be able to
successfully complete the drilling programme at Kamar-1 and to
successfully evaluate, process and interpret data. Undue reliance
should not be placed on the forward-looking statements contained in
this news release as there can be no assurance that the plans,
intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. These
statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and the
Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statements except as expressly required by
applicable securities laws.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider
(as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation
of an offer to buy any securities of Longreach in any jurisdiction in
which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The
securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered
under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities
Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold
within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined in the U.S.
Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such
registration is available.
SOURCE Longreach Oil and Gas Limited
