Gas Discovery in Hungary

Ascent Resources PLC 14 November 2006 Ascent Resources plc / Epic: AST / Index: AIM / Sector: Oil and Gas 14th November 2006 Ascent Resources plc ('Ascent' or 'the Company') Gas Discovery in Hungary Ascent Resources plc, the AIM traded oil and gas exploration and production company, announces its first gas discovery following the drilling and testing of the PEN-104 well in Peneszlek gasfield in Hungary. The gas flowed from a previously untested reservoir horizon and validates the Company's geological model and seismic interpretation of the area. This in turn increases the Company's confidence in the target horizons for the next wells to be drilled in the Nyirseg exploration permits. The Company's 90% owned subsidiary PetroHungaria kft, with partners DualEx of Canada (37.5%) and Petro Pequnia of Sweden (2%), drilled and tested two intervals in the PEN-104 well. The first interval did not flow, with some water and gas in the tubing, but the second test produced gas at a restricted rate of 96,000 cu.m/day (3.4 MMscfd; 600 boepd). The gas rate was restricted because the very high permeability of the formation caused a high flowing pressure (91 barg), which reached the maximum pressure rating of the separator. The drawdown at this rate through an 8mm choke was 3 barg and the Mining Regulations preclude by-passing the separator under these conditions. Ascent's Managing Director Jeremy Eng said: 'This is the first well drilled in this area for over 20 years and it is encouraging that the well has made a new gas discovery. The test proves our geological model and underlines the large potential of the region. Together with our partners, we have already chosen four other drilling locations. The choice of these locations is based on modern seismic techniques and we feel that the methodology has been significantly de-risked with the positive results of the PEN-104 well.' The PEN-104 is situated on exploration permits that cover an area of 2,483 sq km in Eastern Hungary adjacent to the Romanian border. It is a re-appraisal well within the once productive Peneszlek gasfield and targets gas reservoirs in the Pannonian Clastics and the underlying Miocene Tuffs. Once the PEN-104 well has been suspended for future production, the rig will be moved to the northern part of the permits to drill the Fehergyarmat 2 (FGY-2) well, which is scheduled to commence next week. PEN-104 Testing: Depth (m) Formation Recovery Top Bottom Test 1 1,262 1,285 Miocene Tuff Some water with gas Test 2 1,064 1,068 Pannonian Clastics Dry gas at 3.4 MMscfd Glossary of Terms: cu.m/day cubic meters of gas per day MMscfd millions of standard cubic feet of gas per day boepd barrels of oil equivalent per day barg pressure bar gauge The information contained in this release has been reviewed and approved by Dr Eloi Dolivo, Ascent's Exploration Manager and Dr Clive Ninnes, Ascent's Engineering Manager. Dr Dolivo (member of the AAPG) and Dr Ninnes (member of SPE) have 26 and 25 years experience respectively in the evaluation of hydrocarbon resources. * * ENDS * * For further information visit www.ascentresources.co.uk or contact: Jeremy Eng Ascent Resources plc Tel: 020 7251 4905 Hugo de Salis St Brides Media & Finance Ltd Tel: 020 7242 4477 Hugh Oram Nabarro Wells & Co. Limited Tel: 020 7710 7400 Notes: Ascent Resources has a portfolio of over 20 oil and gas projects across six countries in Europe. The projects are onshore in Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Spain and Romania and offshore the Netherlands. Ascent is drilling a programme of six exploration wells, at least two in Hungary and two each in Spain and Italy. In 2007, high impact gas exploration wells are also planned in the Po Valley in Italy and in Switzerland. Ascent will also participate in up to four non-operated exploration wells in the Aurelian Oil & Gas PLC led project in Romania (5% Ascent) where gas is produced from the Bilca development. Ascent also produces a hundred barrels of oil daily from Spain's only onshore oilfield. With the strong and stable European gas market, Ascent's portfolio favours gas over oil and, with the exception of the Netherlands, all of its projects are located onshore where operating and development costs are substantially lower than they are offshore. Ascent's Board of Directors are specialists in the oil and gas business and each director has expertise and experience in commercialising energy assets. The Company's Board and Executive Management provide the basis upon which Ascent can accommodate the rapid growth that the Company plans in the short term. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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