Manas Begins Second Seismic Survey at Mongolian Blocks

- Manas Begins Second Seismic Survey at Mongolian Blocks

Thursday, July 14, 2011
Manas Petroleum Corp.

Manas announced the commencement of the second seismic survey on the two Mongolian blocks - Zuunbayan-XIV Block and Tsagaan Els-XIII Block - owned by Gobi Energy Partners GmbH.

This year's seismic survey includes up to 1,700 km of 2D seismic. It covers 10 prospective areas over both blocks, which were identified by our integrated interpretation. The program is laid out in 8 phases without any interruption between the phases; however, some phases show interdependencies. Preparation and mobilization has commenced and the acquisition is expected to begin in mid-August. The seismic work will be conducted with vibrators.

Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, DWM Petroleum AG, Manas owns record title to 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of GEP GmbH, though 26% is held in trust for others. GEP GmbH owns 100% of Gobi Energy Partners LLC ("Gobi"), the Mongolian operator of the oil and gas projects on the two blocks. Gobi signed the agreement for Seismic Services with Sinopec Mongolia, a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), on July 12, 2011. Sinopec has extensive seismic experience in this area. Sinopec offers all services from seismic to drilling and drilling related services. Sinopec will use Sercel equipment for the survey. The total cost of the program, including mobilization and demobilization, is projected to be US $4.2 million. Nine companies participated in the tender.

This seismic survey is being carried out in an effort to improve the quality of existing data and increase the chances of success of exploratory wells the company intends to drill upon completion and interpretation of the new data. The first well is anticipated to be spudded in the second quarter of 2012.

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Second Seismic Survey Commenced at Manas' Tajikistan Licenses

- Second Seismic Survey Commenced at Manas' Tajikistan Licenses

Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Manas Petroleum Corp.

Manas announced the commencement of the second seismic survey on CJSC Somon Oil Company's WEST and NORTH WEST licenses in the Republic of Tajikistan. This program includes up to 774 km of 2D seismic survey, which up to 115 km will be acquired over the WEST license and up to 659 km will be acquired over the NORTH WEST license. An additional 24 km will extend across the Kyrgyz-Tajik border into Manas' Tuzluk license in the Kyrgyz Republic.

Somon Oil, a 90% owned subsidiary of DWM Petroleum AG, signed the agreement for Seismic Services with the Tajikistan branch of the Kazakh company, DANK Scientific Industrial Firm ("DANK"), on June 29, 2011. DANK has extensive experience in the hydrocarbon exploration industry performing seismic work in the larger Caspian region. DANK also performed Somon's seismic survey in 2010. The seismic work will be conducted with vibrators, airguns (a significant volume of the data is to be acquired across the Karakum Reservoir, for the first time), with the remainder utilizing dynamite as a source.

This seismic survey is being carried out to improve the quality of the existing prospect data, and hence increase the chances of success of the exploratory wells to be drilled upon completion and interpretation of the new seismic data. The first well is anticipated to be spudded at the end of the first quarter of 2012.

Santos International Ventures Pty Ltd ("Santos International")., a wholly owned subsidiary of Santos Ltd., has an option to farm-in to Somon Oil pursuant to an option agreement signed between DWM Petroleum AG, Santos International (and others) on December 10, 2007. The Production Sharing Agreement has yet to be ratified and remains one of the hurdles for Santos exercising the option. Prior to exercise of that option, Santos International has agreed to provide preliminary discretionary funding towards the costs of the abovementioned seismic, although binding fully funded commitments are not intended to arise until exercise of the option. Once exercised, it is intended that (subject to further agreement on terms), Santos International will fully fund the seismic survey and that these costs will be credited to the total funding commitments to be agreed.

Somon has also commenced the process of obtaining all required permits to commence drilling operations in the Chkalovsk area (WEST license) as well as in the West Supetau area (NORTH WEST license).

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