Salamander Resumes Drilling Ops at Thai Block

Salamander Resumes Drilling Ops at Thai Block

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Salamander Energy plc

Salamander provided the following update on its current drilling operations in Thailand and Indonesia.

- Thailand -

Dao Ruang-3 well, Block L15/50

The Dao Ruang-3 appraisal well has spudded and will be drilled to a planned depth of 1,900 m TVDSS using the MB Century-26 rig. The well is forecast to take 45 days to drill on a dry hole basis. Salamander has a 50% interest in, and is operator of, Block L15/50.

Block B8/38

The Ocean Sovereign rig is back on location at the Bualuang Alpha wellhead platform and has resumed drilling operations. Salamander has a 100% interest in, and operatorship of, Block B8/38.

- Indonesia -

South Sebuku-2 appraisal well, Bengara-1 PSC

The HPS-1 land rig that will be used to drill the South Sebuku-2 well ("SS-2") has commenced mobilization to the well site. The SS-2 well is expected to spud in mid-May. SS-2 is appraising the South Sebuku gas discovery made in 2009 that is thought to contain gross mean contingent resources of 80 Bcf. Salamander has a 41% interest in the Bengara-1 PSC.

Salamander Sees Gas Shows at Thai Well

Salamander Sees Gas Shows at Thai Well

Friday, April 15, 2011
Salamander Energy plc

Salamander provided the following update on its Thai drilling operations in Block L15/50, onshore Northeast Thailand, and Block B8/38, Gulf of Thailand.

Dao Ruang-2 well, Block L15/50

Dao Ruang-2 ("DR-2") drilling operations at the Dao Ruang-2 location have been completed. Following an openhole drill stem test ("DST") the well failed to flow at a sustained commercial rate and is in the process of being temporarily suspended for potential re-entry at a later date. Drilling now moves to the second location of the two well program, as originally planned, targeting an independent fault network in the structure.

The DR-2 well was drilled to a depth of 2,212 meters true vertical depth sub-sea ("m TVDSS") into the eastern flank of the Dao Ruang structure, targeting a swarm of faults and fractures identified from high resolution 3D seismic. The well intersected a number of fracture zones with associated gas shows and experienced gas influx associated with a fault system around 1,840 m TVDSS. Gas shows were seen all the way to TD, with no sign of water, demonstrating a significant gas column in the Dao Ruang structure.

An openhole DST was undertaken across an interval between 1,008 - 2,211 m TVDSS. The section was tested following an acid wash, however only sub-commercial flow rates were recorded, indicating very low permeability formation and a limited open, connected fracture network at the DR-2 location.

The MB Century 26 rig will now be mobilized to the Dao Ruang-3 ("DR-3") drilling location. The DR-3 well will target a separate fracture set on the northern flank of the Dao Ruang structure with a different orientation to those seen in DR-2, providing a greater chance of encountering an open fracture network and an opportunity to test at a commercial flow rate.

The DR-3 well will be drilled to a planned depth of 1,900 m TVDSS and is expected to spud within the next 8 days. The well is forecast to take 45 days to drill on a dry hole basis.

Salamander has a 50% interest in, and is operator of, Block L15/50.

James Menzies, Chief Executive Officer of Salamander Energy, said, "While it is disappointing that we did not encounter commercial gas at our first Dao Ruang location, it is clear from drilling that there is a significant gas column in the structure. The two well program was originally designed to target two independent fault networks in different orientations, and we expect to spud the second well in a matter of days."

Carnarvon Boosts Reservoirs in Thai Concessions

Carnarvon Boosts Reservoirs in Thai Concessions

Friday, April 08, 2011

Carnarvon Petroleum Ltd.

Carnarvon announced the results of an independent reserves evaluation of its Thailand concessions as at December 31, 2010.

Carnarvon has a 40% equity interest in the SW1, L33/43 and L44/43 on-shore concessions (Pan Orient Energy Corp. 60%). The reserves estimates data has been certified by international energy consultants Gaffney, Cline and Associates (GCA).

At the end of the calendar year, proved and probable reserves at Carnarvon's Thailand concessions totaled 20.4 million barrels. This comprised proved reserves of 4.7 million barrels plus probable reserves of 15.7 million barrels.

The estimates include new oil field discoveries in 2010 in the Wichian Buri Extension (WBExt) field within the L44/43 concession and the L33 field in the L33/43 concession. The increase in reserves in these fields was offset by a downward revision of previously announced reserves in the NSE Central and NSE-F1 fields within the L44/43 concession. Carnarvon indicated the potential for the downward revision at these two reservoirs in October 2010.
The net present value of proved and probable reserves after tax for the three concessions in Thailand, using forecast oil prices and discounted at 10%, is A$307 million, representing A$0.45 per Carnarvon share, based on the current 687.8 million shares outstanding and an exchange rate of A$1.00 / US $1.04.

CEO Comment

Carnarvon CEO Ted Jacobson said, "These reserves estimates provide us with a much better understanding of this series of oil fields and give us greater confidence in the assessment of remaining oil.

"These are important assets for Carnarvon; they provides us with important cash flow and exploration and appraisal upside whilst enabling us to continuing to focus on upside via exploration and acquisitions in other regions.

"While we expected the revisions in reserves for the NSE Central and NSE-F1 reservoirs, the greater percentage of more conventional sandstone reservoirs means a longer, more consistent and predictable production for Carnarvon moving forward once these sandstone reservoirs have been fully developed.

"We have a long future in this range of assets and are excited about the broader opportunities for Carnarvon that the long term positive cash flows can achieve," said Mr Jacobson.