Statement re Tunisia Drilling Update

Immediate Release                                   7th September 2010 GULFSANDS PETROLEUM PLC Tunisia Drilling Update Lambouka-1 Well Results London, 7th September, 2010:  Gulfsands Petroleum plc ("Gulfsands", the "Group" or the "Company" - AIM: GPX), the oil and gas production, exploration and development company with activities in Syria, Iraq, Tunisia, Italy and the U.S.A., is pleased to announce that ADX Energy Ltd (ASX:ADX) the operator of the Kerkouane Exploration Licence offshore Tunisia (Kerkouane Licence) and the adjacent Pantelleria Exploration Permit in Southern Italy (G.R15.PU, known as the Pantelleria Permit) has provided the following update on drilling operations on the Lambouka-1 well. Drilling operations on the Lambouka-1 well have been completed and the Operator has advised that two hydrocarbon bearing zones have been interpreted in the Lambouka - 1 well. Drilling and wire line logging operations on the well were concluded after the well reached a total measured depth of 2786 metres. Analysis of the final suite of wireline logs has supported earlier results from logging while drilling that two hydrocarbon bearing zones are present in the Abiod Formation - the primary objective for the Lambouka - 1 well. The nature of the hydrocarbons is likely to be comprised of gas in the upper interval and gas and possibly condensate in the lower interval based on the hydrocarbon shows recorded from the cuttings while drilling. Although the gas shows were not as strong as encountered in the same Abiod interval in the nearby Dougga-1 discovery, no carbon dioxide (CO2) was detected while drilling the Abiod Formation unlike in the Dougga-1 discovery. A net pay of approximately 23 metres has been interpreted by the Operator within the two reservoir units. This compares favourably to the nearby Dougga discovery which is interpreted to have a net pay of 14 meters in the Abiod and an assessed mean resource of 74 MMBOE (million barrels of oil equivalent). Interpretation of 3 D seismic data suggests there is up dip potential from the crest of the structure to the Lambouka -1 well location of approximately 250 metres. In addition based on wireline interpretation, the first interpreted water bearing reservoir was encountered approximately 230 metres below the upper hydrocarbon zone. Specialist wireline logs and drilling data indicate that the Abiod limestone formation at Lambouka is extensively fractured, which may be a positive factor in reservoir productivity. As a result of ongoing drilling fluid losses and increasing well bore deterioration it has not been possible to safely recover fluid samples or pressure data from the Abiod formation.  Ongoing operations in the existing wellbore have become increasingly difficult and the productivity of the reservoir from this well bore is very likely to have been adversely effected by losses and use of lost circulation materials there by diminishing the ability to obtain representative flow rates from any drill stem test. The joint venture is considering whether to suspend or plug and abandon the Lambouka-1 well in order to test the Aboid Formation at a later date.  A decision on this matter is likely to depend upon an assessment of whether a new well or suspension and future re-entry of the existing well would provide the best opportunity to minimise rig time and maximise reservoir information to be acquired in a future production test of the Aboid Formation. The Operator has cautioned that the results described in this announcement are preliminary in nature and therefore will continue to interpret the data obtained from the Lambouka - 1 well in conjunction with seismic data in order to further assess the potential of Lambouka discovery. Gulfsands is acquiring a 30% participating interest in the Kerkouane Licence and Pantelleria Permit. Gulfsands also expects to participate in the drilling of another exploration well before the end of 2010 in the onshore Chorbane permit, to earn a 40% participating interest (see announcement of 18th May 2010). This release has been approved by Richard Malcolm, Chief Executive of Gulfsands Petroleum Plc who has a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology with 30 years of experience in petroleum exploration and management. Mr. Malcolm has consented to the inclusion of the technical information in this release in the form and context in which it appears. For more information please contact: Gulfsands Petroleum (London) +44 (0)20 7434 6060 Richard Malcolm, Chief Executive Officer Andrew Rose, Chief Financial Officer Kenneth Judge, Director: Corporate Development & Communications Buchanan Communications Limited (London) +44 (0)20 7466 5000 Bobby Morse Ben Romney Chris McMahon RBC Capital Markets (London) +44 (0)20 7653 4000 Josh Critchley Matthew Coakes Martin Eales ABOUT GULFSANDS: Gulfsands is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Syria Gulfsands owns a 50% working interest and is operator of Block 26 in North East Syria.  The Khurbet East oil field was discovered in June 2007 and commenced commercial production within 13 months of the discovery. This field is producing at an average gross production rate of approximately 18,000 barrels of oil per day through an early production facility. A second field discovery, the Yousefieh field, was brought on-stream in April 2010, and is currently producing 2,000 barrels of oil per day. Block 26 covers approximately 8,250 square kilometres and encompasses existing fields which currently produce over 100,000 barrels of oil per day, and are operated mainly by the Syrian Petroleum Company.  The current exploration license expires in August 2010 and is extendable for a further two years. Gulfsands' working interest 2P reserves in Syria at 31 December 2009 were 46.0 mmbbls. Tunisia: Gulfsands is acquiring working interest positions in two exploration permits in Tunisia (Chorbane and Kerkouane Permits) and one exploration permit in Southern Italy (G.R15.PU) from ADX Energy Ltd the operator of all three permits. The Company's interest in these permits remains subject to the completion of the Company's farm obligations and various approvals from the governments of Tunisia and Italy. Kerkouane Permit - Offshore Tunisia G.R15.PU  Permit (Pantelleria Permit) - Offshore Italy G.R15.PU, is located offshore the island of Pantelleria southwest of Sicily in Italian waters and the Kerkouane Permit is located offshore northeast Tunisia.  The two permits are contiguous and comprise a total area of approximately 4500 square km. The operator has identified multiple leads and targets on these permits and drilling is currently underway on the most significant of these targets which is the Lambouka Prospect, a large horst block containing multiple reservoir targets. The operator has estimated that the Lambouka Prospect has mean estimated resources of 270 mmboe. Gulfsands' work commitment for the Kerkouane Permit includes the drilling of the Lambouka-1 exploration well which is currently underway. Gulfsands will earn a 30% working interest in both permits by paying approximately 35% of the cost the Lambouka-1 well and reimbursing the operator for a portion of various pre-drill costs that include a recently completed 3D seismic programme. The cost of Gulfsands' farm-in obligations to earn a 30% interest in these permits is estimated to be approximately US$9 million. Chorbane Permit - Onshore Tunisia The Chorbane permit is located in central Tunisia and covers an area of 2,428 square km. The permit is surrounded by several producing oil fields and extensive oil & gas infrastructure. Gulfsands' forward work commitment for the Chorbane permit includes the drilling of one exploration well in the fourth quarter of 2010 for which Gulfsands will pay 80% of the estimate US$5 million cost of the first exploration well so as to earn a 40% interest in the permit. A number of prospects and leads have been indentified within the permit, the most prospective being a large tilted horst block ("Sidi Daher") where the operator has identified multiple potential targets estimated to hold recoverable un-risked prospective resources of 80 mmboe. 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, following completion of a feasibility study on the project, and is negotiating details of a definitive contract 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. The Company is actively engaged in discussions with respect to financing and potential equity partners.  Gulfsands has no reserves in Iraq. Gulf of Mexico, USA The Company owns interests in 37 leases offshore Texas and Louisiana, which include 24 producing oil and gas fields with proved and probable working interest reserves at 31 December 2009 of 4.7 mmboe. 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. More information can be found on the Company's websitewww.gulfsands.com More information on the Company can be found on the Company's websitewww.gulfsands.com [HUG#1442905] This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Gulfsands Petroleum PLC via Thomson Reuters ONE
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