Drilling Update

Gulfsands Petroleum PLC 27 July 2007 1,085 bopd of 26 degree (API) oil flows on DST of Cretaceous aged reservoir KHE-2 appraisal well extends oil column London, 27th July, 2007: Gulfsands Petroleum plc ('Gulfsands', the 'Group' or the 'Company' - AIM: GPX), the oil and gas production, exploration and development company with activities in the U.S.A., Syria and Iraq is pleased to announce that the Company has successfully drilled and tested the first appraisal well on the Group's Khurbet East discovery, being the Khurbet East - 2 ('KHE-2') well. An open-hole drill-stem test produced oil to surface at rates up to 1,085 barrels of oil per day ('bopd'). The Massive Formation The Massive Formation was encountered in the KHE-2 appraisal well at a depth of 1,931 metres. The Company then successfully recovered approximately 10 metres of whole core from a 20 metre coring interval. Recovery of the entire cored section was limited due to the presence of fractures in the reservoir. Prior to drilling ahead, the Company commenced an open-hole drill-stem test of approximately the top 10 metres of the reservoir, which resulted in oil flow to surface at a maximum rate of approximately 1,085 bopd during nitrogen lift of the well. During the test period following the nitrogen lift the average production rate was 710 bopd increasing to a final rate of 820 bopd. The results of the testing operation indicate excellent formation permeability and indicate that this production rate would be materially enhanced with artificial lift methods (gas lift or pump). All wells in the Massive Formation in the Block 26 area go onto artificial lift relatively soon after they go onto initial production. Preliminary assessment of the oil gravity is 26 degrees API, which makes this oil virtually identical to the oil produced in the Souedieh Field, located some 12 kilometres to the northeast. Oil samples from the test have been submitted for laboratory analysis, but this preliminary assessment is consistent with the oil recovered from Massive Formation in the KHE-1 well. After the successful drill-stem test, the Company drilled the KHE-2 to a total depth of 2,050 metres and completed a wireline logging programme. Independent wireline log analysis of the Massive reservoir indicates a gross oil column of some 49 metres with approximately 29 metres of net oil pay, compared with the lower figures of 31 metres and 22.5 metres respectively seen in the KHE-1 well. The strong flow-rate from KHE-2 plus the geologic and reservoir information gained from both the KHE-1 and KHE-2 wells indicate that the Khurbet East discovery should be highly economic in the context of low development costs, proximity to production infrastructure and a favourable Production Sharing Contract in Block 26. The Chilou Formation The Tertiary aged Chilou B Formation was also encountered in the KHE-2 well. This section appears similar to that encountered in the KHE-1 well; however, preliminary analysis suggests the presence of water and residual or immoveable oil, or a relatively low permeability reservoir. Consistent with other wells drilled in the area, the Chilou B is considered to have minor resource potential compared to both the Cretaceous and Triassic reservoirs at Khurbet East. Forward Programme Following the successful results from the KHE-1 and KHE-2 wells, the Company plans to acquire a 3D seismic survey over Khurbet East commencing in September. This data will be used to optimize future drilling locations at Khurbet East, facilitating a strategy to move towards early development and production. In parallel with this acquisition programme, the Company will commence appraisal of the Kurrachine Dolomite, and draft the further field appraisal programme and the initial Development Plan for discussion with its industry and government partners for implementation at the earliest possible point in time. Finally, the Company will continue further exploration on the Block following up on the Khurbet East discovery. Gulfsands' CEO, John Dorrier, said: 'The test of oil from the Massive formation confirms the excellent flow potential of this reservoir and the lateral continuity of the reservoir between the KHE-1 and KHE-2 wells. Greater net oil pay in KHE-2 than KHE-1 indicates a deeper oil-water contact than previously expected, thereby increasing the reserves potential in this reservoir. The Company now plans to move rapidly to commercialize this discovery in cooperation with its partners.' NB: This release has been approved by Jason Oden, Gulfsands Exploration Manager, who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geophysics with 22 years of experience in petroleum exploration and management and is registered as a Professional Geophysicist. Mr. Oden has consented to the inclusion of the material in the form and context in which it appears. ABOUT GULFSANDS: Gulf of Mexico, USA The Company owns interests in 54 offshore blocks comprising approximately 193,000 gross acres which includes numerous producing oil and gas fields offshore Texas and Louisiana with proved and probable recoverable reserves net to Gulfsands at 31 December 2006 of 41.5 BCFGE (6.9 MMBOE), consisting of 27.3 BCFG and 2.36 MMBO. Onshore USA Gulfsands owns interests in two oil and gas fields onshore Texas, USA (98.5% working interest in Emily Hawes Field and 37.5% working interest in Barb Mag Field) with proved and probable recoverable reserves net to Gulfsands at 31 December 2006 of 3.1 BCFGE (0.5 MMBOE), consisting of 2.8 BCFG and 57,000 barrels of oil. Syria Gulfsands owns a 50% working interest and is operator of Block 26 in North East Syria. Block 26 covers 11,000 square kilometers and encompasses existing fields which currently produce over 100,000 barrels of oil per day. These fields are operated by third parties including the Syria Petroleum Company. Iraq Gulfsands signed a Memorandum of Understanding in January 2005 with the Ministry of Oil in Iraq for the Maysan Gas Project in Southern Iraq and following completion of a feasibility study on the project is negotiating details of definitive contracts for this regionally important development. The project will gather process and transmit natural gas that is currently a waste by-product of oil production and as a result of the present practice of gas flaring, contributes to significant environmental damage in the region. Certain statements included herein constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. These forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions made by Gulfsands and as such are not a guarantee of future performance. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements due to factors such as general economic and market conditions, increased costs of production or a decline in oil and gas prices. Gulfsands is under no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws. For further information including the Company's recent investor presentation, please refer to the Company's website www.gulfsands.net or contact: Gulfsands Petroleum (Houston) + 1-713-626-9564 John Dorrier, Chief Executive Officer David DeCort, Chief Financial Officer Gulfsands Petroleum (London) 020-7182-4016 Kenneth Judge, Director of Corporate Development 07733-001-002 College Hill (London) 020-7457-2020 Nick Elwes Paddy Blewer Teather & Greenwood (London) 020-7426-9000 Tom Hulme (Corporate Finance) Tanya Clarke (Specialist Sales) This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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