24 April 2009
AIM: XTR
XTRACT ENERGY PLC
("Xtract" or the "Company")
INVESTMENT UPDATE - Extrem Energy
Further to the announcement made on 6 April 2009, Xtract Energy Plc
("Xtract") is pleased to provide the following update on the
operations of its Turkish joint venture Extrem Energy A.S. ("Extrem
Energy").
Post Drill Evaluation of Sarikiz Field
Following the successful drilling of Sarikiz-2, which is about to be
tested (see below), a review was made of the drilling logs of the
East Sarikiz-1 well previously drilled by Turkish state firm TPAO in
2001. TPAO tested the deeper interval 2,122-2,147m and found limited
oil shows. The well was plugged and abandoned.
New log analysis conducted for Extrem Energy clearly shows oil
indications within similar intervals to Sarikiz-2 across the depth
range 1,414-1,766m. The well conditions at East Sarikiz are suitable
for re-entry with Extrem now planning to conduct a further production
test at the shallower interval later in 2009. If successful, East
Sarikiz will be an additional producing well that will add to early
revenues. The estimated drilling and testing investment to appraise
the production potential of the well is US$0.75m.
The new log analysis also suggests that the Sarikiz field extends
across a wider geographic area than previously interpreted. The
estimated area of the fan-delta structure has increased to 6.0km2
(from 4.0km2 stated on 16 March 2009). Using an average thickness of
20m over the additional area and maintaining previous assumptions
over the remainder, the estimated total oil in place has increased to
190mbbl. Adopting a 20-35% recovery factor range, the total
estimated recoverable oil from the Sarikiz Field is in the range
38-66mbbl.
Sarikiz-2 Production Test
The drilling rig was mobilized to site on 12 April and rigging was
completed on schedule on 17 April 2009. Preparatory work continues,
but some delay has been experienced as the rig awaits delivery of
certain production testing equipment. Production testing is now
expected to commence on or before 15 May 2009. Extrem is not liable
for the daily rig rate costs during the delay period.
The testing of the 12 levels of sandstone will take approximately one
month. The daily production rate achieved will be used to determine
the number of wells to be drilled in the field and the capacity of
the surface facilities required. Production from the well is expected
to be at least 500b/d. Laboratory reports indicate good quality 33.5
API crude oil. The well was cased when originally drilled and will
therefore be ready for commercial production following a successful
test.
All operations are controlled and operated by Merty Energy, Xtract's
joint venture partner in Extrem Energy.
Further progress updates will be provided as appropriate.
Xtract currently holds 20% of Extrem Energy and has the option of
increasing its shareholding to 34% by contributing a further
investment of US$3.5m before 30 June 2009.
The above information has been reviewed and approved by Ongun
Yoldemir, Managing Director of Extrem Energy, who has a masters
degree in geological engineering and worked as an explorationist in
the oil and gas sector in the Middle East, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan,
and North Sea, has over 28 years' experience in the resource and
energy sector and is a member of the American Association of
Petroleum Geologists, European Association of Geologists and
Engineers, the Society of Exploration Geophysicists and several
related Turkish institutions
Enquiries please contact:
Xtract Energy Andy Morrison, CEO +44 (0)20 3205 1148
Smith & Williamson David Jones +44 (0)20 7131 4000
Corporate Finance Azhic Basirov
Scott Harris Ian Middleton +44 (0)20 7653 0030
James O'Shaughnessy
About Xtract Energy
Xtract identifies and invests in a diversified portfolio of early
stage energy sector technologies and businesses with significant
growth potential. The Company aims to work closely with the
associated management teams to achieve critical project milestones,
to finance later development stages, and to build and crystallise
value for all shareholders and partners.
For further information on Xtract please visit www.xtractenergy.co.uk
A short description of the principal assets of Xtract is set out
below. These assets are either held directly or through wholly owned
subsidiaries of the Company.
MEO Australia Ltd ("MEO")
MEO (ASX: MEO) aims to become an integrated Australian Gas-to-Liquids
("GTL") company. In 2008, MEO made significant gas discoveries in the
Australian Timor Sea, in an area of shallow water known as Tassie
Shoal. Early commercialisation of these discoveries is planned
through construction of Liquified Natural Gas ("LNG") and Methanol
plants and export terminals on the off-shore Tassie Shoal. MEO has
already secured Australian Government environmental approvals for two
large scale (1.8 Mtpa) methanol plants and a 3 Mtpa LNG plant on
Tassie Shoal. Xtract owns approximately 11.6% of MEO's issued share
capital.
Elko Energy Inc. ("Elko")
Elko is a Canadian registered oil & gas exploration company which has
interests in exploration and production licences in the Danish and
Dutch North Sea. Its major asset is in the Danish North Sea; an 80%
interest on 26 offshore blocks in a 5,400 sq km exploration and
production licence close to the prolific Central Graben oil field.
Technical work indicates the potential for significant reserves. Elko
also holds a 60% operating interest in gas-bearing license blocks P1
and P2 in the Dutch North Sea. Xtract owns approximately 35.0% of
Elko's issued share capital.
Extrem Energy AS ("Extrem Energy")
Extrem Energy is an exploration and production joint venture with
Merty Energy of Turkey. The JV's aim is to create a new medium-sized
oil and gas exploration and production business, initially focused on
Turkey where Merty Energy has particular experience and expertise.
Extrem Energy has a portfolio of licence interests including the high
potential prospect at Candarli Bay in south-west Turkey. Xtract owns
20% of the issued share capital of Extrem Energy and has the option
of increasing its shareholding to 34% before 30 June 2009.
Xtract Oil Ltd ("XOL")
Xtract's wholly owned subsidiary, XOL, is focused on the development
of the Company's oil shale resources in Australia and the technology
for oil extraction from oil shale resources. Xtract has oil shale
exploration rights over mining tenements in the Julia Creek area of
Queensland. In addition to evaluating third party technologies, XOL
has been developing proprietary technology for the commercial
extraction of liquid hydrocarbon products from oil shale.
Xtract Energy (Oil Shale) Morocco SA ("XOSM")
XOSM is a joint venture with Alraed Limited Investment Holding
Company WLL, a company controlled by His Highness, Prince Bandar Bin
Mohd. Bin Abdulrahman Al-Saud of Saudi Arabia. XOSM has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Office National des
Hydrocarbures et des Mines for the purposes of evaluation and
possible development of an oil shale deposit near Tarfaya, in the
south west part of Morocco. Xtract currently holds 70% of the joint
venture.
Wasabi Energy Ltd ("Wasabi")
Wasabi (ASX: WAS) is a diversified investor in traditional and
renewable energy technologies. Amongst its listed assets it holds
approximately 38% of Rum Jungle Uranium Ltd (ASX: RUM) which has
interests in uranium exploration licenses covering some 4,150 sq km
of Australia's Northern Territory and approximately 12.5% of
Greenearth Energy Ltd (ASX:GER) which aims to explore and develop
geothermal resources in Australia and the wider Pacific Rim. Xtract
owns approximately 19.4% of the issued share capital of Wasabi.
Zhibek Resources Ltd ("Zhibek Resources")
Zhibek Resources is an oil and gas exploration and production company
which has a 72% interest in the Tash Kumyr and Pishkoran exploration
licences in the Kyrgyz Republic. Xtract has entered a farm-out
agreement to fund a seismic and drilling programme for 2008-09.
Xtract owns 25.0% of the issued share capital of Zhibek Resources.
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This announcement was originally distributed by Hugin. The issuer is
solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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