Statement re Ksar Hadada

Independent Resources PLC 21 September 2006 Additional data leads to re-appraisal of planned Tunisian drilling strategy AIM-quoted Independent Resources plc ('IRG' or 'the Company') is pleased to announce it has acquired additional seismic and geological data from its promising Ksar Hadada oil and gas licence in Tunisia. As a result, it has decided to delay the start of drilling which - as announced in its interim results for the period ended 31 March 2006 - was originally scheduled for the current quarter, pending a reappraisal of the most appropriate drilling strategy. The new data has been supplied by Tunisia's state oil company Entreprise Tunisienne d'Activites Petrolieres (ETAP). IRG holds a 40% stake in the exploration permit. IRG Chairman Grayson Nash said: 'While it is disappointing that we cannot start as early as we would like with our planned well, we are delighted to have received new information that is providing a clearer picture of existing and possible new prospects at Ksar Hadada. We are looking forward to re-appraising the best way forward, and hope to agree a new timetable without too much delay. We believe we have a highly prospective licence area and we are especially keen, in the current global environment of high drilling costs, to optimise any drilling campaign.' For further information contact: Stephen Staley, Managing Director, Independent Resources plc: 01332 865 253 07771 838 753 Allan Piper, First City Financial Public Relations: 020 7436 7486 Background details follow: The Ksar Hadada block covers an area of around 7,000 km(2), and contains a geological target that has proved very prospective in neighbouring Libya and Algeria where several large oil & gas discoveries have been made (e.g. Hassi Messaoud, Amal, Elephant, and Rhourd El Baguel.) The main prospect of interest remains the Sidi Toui structure. The production sharing contract (PSC) has a four-year exploration period from April 2004 and two possible extensions of three years each. The licensees are responsible for 100% of costs during the exploration phase. All work commitments for the first four years have already been met. The acreage was first explored in the 1950s, using the poor technology available at that time. The Sidi Toui-1 well discovered oil and some oil stained cores were recovered. A limited test programme was conducted on the oil leg. The Sidi Toui-2 appraisal well was dry. Subsequent seismic data showed both wells were poorly located, having been sited using surface mapping and gravity data as was prevalent in the 1950s. Recognising that this major structure had not been properly explored was the basis for applying for the permit. In 2004 Petroceltic and its carried partners drilled the Sidi Toui-3 appraisal well but the Chinese rig was subject to scheduling problems and was available for a much shorter time than was planned. The well contacted few fractures and was only tested for a very short period without the benefit of nitrogen lifting equipment to help stimulate the well. The well was suspended after a tiny amount of fluids had been produced during the very brief test. Before acquiring this additional data from ETAP, IRG had undertaken an intensive post mortem with Blackwatch Petroleum Services and concluded that Sidi Toui- 3 appraisal well was worth re-entering and re-testing. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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