Ascent Resources PLC
08 January 2007
Ascent Resources plc ('Ascent' or the 'Company')
Disposal of Romanian Interests
Ascent Resources plc, the AIM-traded European oil and gas exploration and
production company, has entered into an agreement to sell its wholly owned
subsidiary, Millennium International Resources Corporation Limited
('Millennium'), to Aurelian Oil & Gas PLC for a cash consideration of
EUR 2,000,000. The assets of Millennium are a 5 per cent. non-operated interest
in three concessions in Romania. The proceeds of the sale will be used to
further develop Ascent's operated European exploration and production portfolio.
Millennium's Romanian assets, the 5 per cent. interest in the Brodina, Cuejdiu
and Bacau concessions, although producing some gas from the Bilca development,
were non core to the Company's strategy. With a substantial appreciation in the
value of the Millennium assets, the decision was taken to realise this value and
to invest the proceeds in accelerating the development of Ascent's operated
interests. Following the disposal, Ascent will hold interests of 50 per cent. or
more in the majority of its portfolio located in Italy, Switzerland, Hungary,
Spain and offshore Netherlands.
From gas sales in October, November and December 2006, Millennium had a turnover
(unaudited) after Government Royalty of EUR 70,000.
Ascent Managing Director Jeremy Eng said: 'The increase in the value of
Millennium since we acquired it in April prompted the Board to sell this non
core asset and invest the proceeds in Ascent's extensive operated portfolio. We
are currently drilling our third well in as many months. When the rig has
finished in Italy, it will move to Spain to continue drilling. Despite our high
level of activity, and with more Hungarian and Italian drilling already planned,
Ascent's portfolio includes 15 operated projects that will remain undrilled at
the conclusion of this campaign.'
* * 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
Notes
Ascent Resources has a portfolio of 20 oil and gas projects across five
countries in Europe. The projects are onshore in Italy, Switzerland, Hungary and
Spain and offshore Netherlands. Ascent is at present drilling a programme of
six exploration wells. Two have already been drilled in Hungary, one of which
was a gas discovery. The first of two Italian wells is currently drilling ahead
and two further wells are scheduled for Spain. Later in 2007, two gas
exploration wells are to be drilled in Hungary, high impact gas exploration
wells are planned in the Po Valley in Italy, and one well in Switzerland subject
to permitting and rig availability.
Ascent operates Spain's only onshore oilfield where production currently
averages over 100 barrels of oil per day.
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 directors are specialists in the oil and gas business and have
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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