Investment Update
11 February 2009
AIM: XTR
XTRACT ENERGY PLC
("Xtract" or the "Company")
INVESTMENT UPDATE - MEO Australia Limited
Xtract announces that it has sold 8,452,185 of its shares in MEO
Australia Limited ("MEO") for a consideration of A$1,804,051. The
proceeds of the sale will be used to support the growth of the other
investments within the Company's portfolio and provide working
capital. Following the sale, Xtract holds 48,295,629 shares in MEO,
representing approximately 11.6% of MEO's issued share capital.
Xtract also refers shareholders to the following announcement
released today in Australia by MEO.
"ASX AND MEDIA RELEASE
Zeus-1 update
Key Points:
* 12-1/4" hole drilled to total depth of 3,642m
* Elevated gas readings over approximately 44m gross
Legendre formation interval
* Preparing to run expanded suite of formation evaluation
tools including possible formation sampling
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA (February 11th, 2009) -- MEO Australia Limited
(ASX: MEO) is pleased to advise the following update in relation to
Zeus-1 (MEO 35%, Operator), being drilled in WA-361-P in the
Carnarvon Basin, offshore Western Australia.
Zeus-1 has been drilled to a total depth of 3,642m in 12-1/4" (311mm)
hole. Preliminary analysis based on mudlog gas indications and
limited (Gamma Ray/Resistivity) Logging While Drilling (LWD) tools
indicates the following:
1. The target Legendre Formation was expected at around 3,455m.
Approximately 44m gross section of potential reservoir section is
present from approximately 3,448m - 3,492m. Mudlog gas readings
through this interval were elevated over background readings and
reached a peak of approximately 165 units (~3%) in the upper part of
this interval. The resistivity readings from the LWD tool is
considered inconclusive.
2. The secondary target in the Basal Forestier formation does not
appear to have developed reservoir properties at Zeus-1 and is
therefore not considered prospective at this location.
An expanded suite of formation evaluation tools will now be run to
ascertain whether any moveable hydrocarbons are present at the Zeus-1
location. In the event that hydrocarbons are confirmed by these
evaluation tools, formation pressures and samples will be collected.
Present operation Conditioning hole in preparation for running an
expanded suite of formation evaluation tools.
Zeus-1 & WA-361-P participants
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Company | Equity | Remarks |
|---------------------------------------+--------+------------------|
| North West Shelf Exploration Pty Ltd* | 35% | Operator |
|---------------------------------------+--------+------------------|
| Resource Development International | 35% | (Unlisted public |
| Limited | | company) |
|---------------------------------------+--------+------------------|
| Cue Energy Resources Limited | 15% | ASX: CUE |
|---------------------------------------+--------+------------------|
| Gascorp Australia Pty Ltd | 15% | (Unlisted public |
| | | company) |
+-------------------------------------------------------------------+
*(Wholly owned subsidiary of MEO Australia Limited)
Jürgen Hendrich
Managing Director & CEO"
A copy of the MEO announcement referred to above with additional
information attached, is available on the Australian Stock Exchange
website: www.asx.com.au
Further information on MEO can be found at www.meoaustralia.com.au.
As an ASX quoted company, MEO is not subject to the AIM Rules and the
information contained in this announcement has not been reviewed by a
named "qualified person" as defined and required by the AIM Guidance
Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.
Enquiries please contact:
Xtract Energy Andy Morrison, CEO +44 (0)20 7079 1798
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. For the year ended 30 June 2008, MEO made a loss of
approximately A$1.9 million and as at that date its net asset value
was approximately A$153.9 million.
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 33% operating interest in gas-bearing license blocks P1
and P2 in the Dutch North Sea. Xtract owns approximately 35.4% 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.