VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan 6, 2015) - Avanti Energy Inc. (TSX VENTURE:AVN) ("Avanti" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a purchase and sale agreement ("PSA") with Dove Energy B.V. ("Dove") for the purchase of CMI SpA ("CMI") (the "Acquisition"), an Italian corporation that owns a 90% working interest in a natural gas permit covering 35.72 square kilometers onshore in Central Italy, including an application for the conversion of the natural gas discovery in the permit into an exploitation concession (the "Project"). The permit area includes two new wells, along with other older wells, that have fully delineated the field limits and reserves. The two new wells tested combined production in excess of 20,000 Mcf/d (3,333 barrels of oil equivalent (boe)/d). CMI has Net Proved Reserves of approximately 6.4 million boe; and Net Proved plus Probable Reserves of 7.5 million boe. These figures are based on a detailed independent reserve report from DeGolyer & MacNaughton.
Under the terms of the PSA, the Company is acquiring CMI for a total purchase price of approximately US$5.78 million, including US$1.53 million in cash and US$4.25 million in common shares of the Company. The implied transaction valuation multiples are US$0.90 / boe of Proved Reserves; US$0.77 / boe of Proved plus Probable Reserves.
Upon the closing of the transaction, the Board of Directors of Avanti (the "Board") will appoint Mr. Mario Panebianco as an additional director. Mr. Panebianco is the principal owner of Dove and a recognized oil and gas professional and resident in Italy. Through a separate company, Mr. Panebianco owns the remaining 10% working interest in the Project.
This Acquisition is in line with Avanti's strategy of acquiring and developing high-quality assets with outstanding economics. Natural gas in Italy has been decoupled from oil, with current pricing in the range of $US 9.00 - 10.00 per mcf. The process already begun by CMI to convert the exploration permit into an exploitation concession and to place the field on production, will be augmented by the international development expertise of AVN's management team. Additionally, the recently ratified "Unblock Italy" legislation has opened the way for faster permitting of important infrastructure and energy projects such as this one. Avanti President John McIntyre commented, "CMI represents an excellent development opportunity for AVN in Europe where natural gas is in high demand and where security of supply from Africa and Russia is becoming more of a concern."
Fieldstone Partners acted as the financial advisor, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP acted as acquisition counsel and Salley Bowes Harwardt as legal advisor to Avanti in this transaction.
The arm's length Acquisition is subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. Under Policy 5.3 of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Acquisition is a "Reviewable Transaction" by virtue of the size of the acquisition.
Avanti was established in 2013 by energy industry executive John McIntyre and his team of professionals, representing over 200 years of global oil and gas experience in over 20 countries, including: Italy, Switzerland, United States, South Africa, Colombia, and Argentina. Avanti's focus is on the acquisition and enhancement of producing and other low risk assets that may benefit from the application of proven technologies.
John F. McIntyre, President, CEO
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