Independent Reserves Report

RNS Number : 5370T

Empyrean Energy PLC

14 December 2012

 



14 December 2012

Empyrean Energy PLC

("Empyrean", "EME" or the "Company"; Ticker (EME))

Sugarloaf Project, ("Sugarloaf"), Eagle Ford Shale, Texas USA

SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN 1P AND 2P RESERVES AT SUGARLOAF

Upgraded total of 4.39 Million Barrels of Oil Equivalent ("MMboe") (2p)

·    Empyrean's proven reserves (1P) have increased by 54.4% to 2.3 MMboe

·    Empyrean's probable reserves have increased by 20.1% to 2.0 MMboe

·    Empyrean's proven plus probable reserves (2P) have increased by 36% to 4.39 MMboe

Further to the announcement of 28 October 2011, Empyrean is pleased to report that independent petroleum consultants, Netherland Sewell & Associates, Inc. ("NSAI"), of Houston, Texas have completed updated estimates of petroleum reserves and future revenues for Empyrean's interest in the Sugarloaf Project. The Sugarloaf Project is producing from the Eagle Ford Shale formation. The NSAI report is based on data as at 1 September 2012.

The Following table summarises the Reserve estimates by Netherland Sewell & Associates, and % change in the estimates from the previous report as at 31August 2011.

Empyrean Net Reserves	Oil (MBBL)	NGL's (MBBL)	Gas (MMCF)	Total BOE (MBBL)	% Change
Proved (1P)	1,118.2	535.2	4,013.9	2,322.3	+ 54.4
Probable	915.6	515.3	3,864.9	2,075.0	+ 20.1
Proved + Probable (2P)	2,033.8	1,050.5	7,878.8	4,397.3	+ 36.0

Netherland Sewell and Associates Inc have prepared the estimates in accordance with the definitions and guidelines set forth in the 2007 Petroleum Resources Management System approved by the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE).

Reserves are for Empyrean's post farmout interest in Sugarloaf (3.0%) and are net of all royalties. Two wells, Kennedy and Kowalik, are calculated at their higher working interests of 9% and 10.2%. There are various producing wells that have lower than 3% working interests and these have been calculated at their respective correct percentages.

Key Assumptions

Period			Oil/NGL Price			Gas Price		Period		Oil/NGL Price		Gas Price
Ending			($/Barrel)			($/MMBTU)		Ending		($/Barrel)		($/MMBTU)
12-31-2012			96.77			2.994		12-31-2019		86.32		5.052
12-31-2013			97.56			3.478		12-31-2020		86.25		5.383
12-31-2014			94.25			3.866		12-31-2021		86.25		5.730
12-31-2015			90.92			4.082		12-31-2022		86.25		6.070
12-31-2016			88.52			4.279		12-31-2023		86.25		6.410
12-31-2017			87.11			4.486		Thereafter		86.25		6.749
12-31-2018			86.50			4.749

·    Oil and NGL prices used are based on NYMEX West Texas Intermediate prices and are adjusted for quality, transportation fees and regional price differential. Gas prices are based on NYMEX Henry Hub prices and are adjusted for energy content, transportation fees, and a regional price differential. All prices before adjustment are shown in the table above;

·    NSAI have used 500' spacing between each well and varying lateral lengths between 5,000-6,000' (~60-70 acres) with a few 4,000' laterals (~ 45 acres)

·    Well costs of US$8.3 million per well for undeveloped locations

·    46 developed producing and 262 undeveloped well locations

·    Operating costs per well of US$20,000 per month

There is potential to increase reserves by proving up additional productive horizons such as the Austin Chalk and Pearsall Shale, increasing recovery per well and by proving that reducing future well spacing will have a positive impact. These initiatives are being further tested by the operator.

There is potential to reduce the operating costs per well as economies of scale are achieved.

Commenting today, CEO Mr Tom Kelly said - "We are delighted with another transformational increase in Proven and Probable Reserves. Marathon has done an excellent job as operator in a short space of time. We look forward to seeing the results of their initiatives to add further efficiencies and optimise the drilling and completion processes. We also look forward to the results of pilot programs aimed at improving recoveries and reserves. We have not included NPV calculations with our summary of this report because we view them as confidential at this time due to the recent corporate activity and acquisitions within the Sugarloaf Project."

The information contained in this announcement was completed and reviewed by the Technical Director of Empyrean Energy Plc, Mr Frank Brophy BSc (Hons) who has over 40 years experience as a petroleum geologist.

Abbreviations

MBBL - thousands of barrels

MMCF - million cubic feet

MMBTU - millions of British thermal units

BOE - barrels of oil equivalent

MM - million

M - thousand

NGL - natural gas liquids

NYMEX - New York Mercantile Exchange

Contact:

Empyrean Energy Plc

Tom Kelly                                                                    Tel: [phone]

Shore Capital & Corporate Limited

Anita Ghanekar                                                            Tel: [phone]

Edward Mansfield

Lionsgate Communications
Jonathan Charles                                                           Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]

Notes to Editors:

Empyrean Energy is an AIM-listed (Ticker: EME) oil and gas exploration and production company focused in the Eagle Ford shale, Texas, USA. Other assets include a 10% working interest in the Riverbend Project, Texas, just south of the prolific Bookeland Field (Austin Chalk) as well as a 48.5% interest in the Eagle Oil Pool Development Project located in the San Joaquin Basin, southern California.

Empyrean's portfolio includes interests in 63 producing wells at the Sugarloaf Project, Texas. In addition, there are currently two wells being drilled and a further three wells in the process of having completion/ stimulation operations carried out.

 

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