RE: CBN Press Release.........More news from EKHO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 29, 2000
EKHO Project Update
BERKSHIRE INTERNATIONAL MINING LTD. ("BKR-V")
ASTER VENTURES CORP. ("ASV-V")
CURION VENTURES CORP. ("CUV-V")
CVL RESOURCES ("CVL-V")
CONSOLIDATED BRADBURY INTERNATIONAL EQUITIES ("CBN-V")
CURLEW LAKE RESOURCES ("CWQ-V")
PRAIRIE PACIFIC ENERGY CORPORATION ("PRP-V")
TRI VALLEY CORP ("TRIL-L")
- EKHO Project Update
Further to the news release dated August 3, 2000, David Patterson Chairman of the
EKHO Project consortium, provides the following progress report on the EKHO
Project.
The EKHO Participants recently approved a program to run slotted liner across the
Vedder and Phacoides to complete and test the EKHO #1. Due to hole conditions encountered, Tri-Valley Oil & Gas Co. (TVOG), operator of the EKHO Project, was only able to run a slotted liner across the Vedder, which in TVOG's judgment, constituted 90% of the potential of the open hole. TVOG considered that the flow rates encountered were not sufficient, and that to obtain improved rates from the Vedder interval (18,015' -18440') it would be necessary to hydraulically fracture that interval. Accordingly TVOG conducted a very preliminary pressuring up and "break down" procedure to ascertain the viability of the concept of hydraulic fracturing. Preliminary testing proved very positive with regard to being able to successfully hydraulic fracture.
Due to the depth of the EKHO #1, initial engineering planning indicates that a hydraulic fracturing program should be done in two stages, a test frac stage and a final frac stage.
The test frac state is estimated to cost US $225,000 and a final frac (if the test frac proves successful) of US $1.5 MM. It is possible that the test frac could itself stimulate the well. There are sufficient funds available to carry out the test frac.
The test frac is currently designed to reach out and create a fracture that will extend on an approximate 500-foot radius around the well, with EKHO #1 being in the center. Data strongly suggests that any fracture system encountered will be observed in the rate and pressure reactions. The results of the test frac will be used to design the final frac.
According to TVOG, most of the production in the Rocky Mountains below +/- 7,500',and two thirds of the deep production in Oklahoma and Texas would not exist without hydraulic fracturing. There are examples of the Frontier Cretaceous sands in Wyoming at 18,000 and the Natomas and the Wamaley sands in eastern Oklahoma at 18,000 where fracturing resulted in commercial wells, although commercial production did not exis before fracturing.
All the EKHO Project Participants have approved the program to carry out the test frac, which is expected to commence by mid-September.
Seven Canadian Venture Exchange (CDNX) resource companies and various individual
investors are funding the EKHO #1. The EKHO Consortium includes, Berkshire
International Mining Ltd. (BKR.V) 24.948%, Aster Ventures Corp. (ASV.V) 20%,
Curion Ventures Corp. (CUV.V) 20%, CVL Resources (CVL.V) 10.955%,
Consolidated Bradbury International Equities (CBN.V) 5%, Curlew Lake Resources
(CWQ.V) 5%, Prairie Pacific Energy Corporation (PRP.V) 5%, and several individual
investors own the remaining 9.097%.
On Behalf of the EKHO Project Consortium
"David Patterson"
Chairman
TEL: 604-684-6535 Investor Relations
FAX: 604-602-9311
TEL: 1-877-778-EKHO
E-Mail: info@ekhoproject.com
Web Site: www.ekhoproject.com