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PetroFrontier Planning Five Georgina Basin Test Wells for 2014

Share Print Bookmark    |    Monday,January 27,2014

PetroFrontier Corp. has reported that the Joint Venture Operating Committee has approved the 2014 Work Plan and Budget (WP&B).

The 2014 WP&B includes the drilling of up to five vertical test wells.  All wells will include an extensive coring and open hole evaluation program and up to three of the wells will be hydraulically fractured and production tested.

Earl Scott, PetroFrontier's President and CEO, commented: "This program reflects the synergies of having Statoil technical staff imbedded in PetroFrontier's former Adelaide office for over a year. Statoil and PetroFrontier staff were able to quickly achieve alignment and Statoil staff have diligently developed their "in country" operating capability. Both Statoil and PetroFrontier are keen to move forward and further test the oil production potential of the Southern Georgina Basin, which the 2014 WP&B will provide for in a capital efficient way. Depending on government approvals, weather and service company availability, we hope to see drilling results in Q3 and testing results in Q4."

Under the terms of the Amended Farmin Agreement between Statoil Australia Theta BV and PetroFrontier, Statoil has committed to spend a minimum of US$50 million in Phase 2A, which includes the Amy 2D seismic program completed in August of 2013 and the new vertical test wells.

Also included in the Amended Farmin Agreement is Statoil's commitment to bear the cost of abandonment and reclamation of surface lands as well as the existing three wells at no cost to PetroFrontier. These operations are also planned for 2014 to capture operational and cost efficiency. Statoil does not believe material new information will be obtained from testing the Macintyre-2H well, as the presence of H2S is believed to be an indication of water in the wellbore area, as was seen in the Owen-3H well. The new wells have been selected to avoid vertical faulting, which is believed to be the primary source of water and with it, H2S, at the Owen-3H and Macintyre-2H wells. The Baldwin-2Hst1 well with its casing failure is considered by the operator to warrant permanent abandonment.

Baraka Energy & Resources Ltd., a 25% working interest owner in EP 127 and EP128 is disputing the 2014 WP&B on these blocks. PetroFrontier does not see merit in Baraka's objections and both Statoil and PetroFrontier are keen to move forward with the work plan announced. The joint operating agreement (JOA) among the parties does provide for the potential dilution of Baraka's 25% working interest should it refuse to pay its cash calls. Statoil and PetroFrontier together hold 75% of the working interest and have voted to approve the 2014 WP&B in accordance with the JOA. These issues may result in a realignment of the actual work performed on EP127 and EP128 but are not expected to have a material impact on the overall technical results of the 2014 work program and information gathered.