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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Foster Wheeler, SOCAR Team Up to Form New Company

- Foster Wheeler, SOCAR Team Up to Form New Company

Thursday, July 14, 2011
Foster Wheeler AG

Foster Wheeler announced that a subsidiary of its Global Engineering and Construction Group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to cooperate to form a jointly-owned company with The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan Republic (SOCAR) in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

SOCAR is a state-owned company engaged in the fields of oil and gas exploration, production, transportation and marketing and intends to build an oil, gas processing and petrochemical complex in Garadag, Republic of Azerbaijan.

The new jointly-owned company will focus on providing process, engineering, procurement, construction supervision and project management services associated with the development of the new oil, gas processing and petrochemical complex.

The new entity will provide the same services for upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas projects developed by SOCAR both in the Republic of Azerbaijan and in other countries.

In line with the principles outlined in the MoU, Foster Wheeler and SOCAR will prepare a joint action plan for the establishment and incorporation of the new company, with its headquarters in Baku.

"Foster Wheeler and SOCAR already have a strong working relationship, including cooperation for the design of the Aegean oil refining facility in Turkey for SOCAR and its joint-venture partner," said Umberto della Sala, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Foster Wheeler AG. "We are very pleased to sign this MoU, which signals our commitment to Azerbaijan and which will take our relationship with SOCAR to a new level. Foster Wheeler will bring to the new joint company its worldwide organization resources, technical expertise and international project execution capability on all of SOCAR's key business areas."

"We consider Foster Wheeler one of the most respected companies in the world and we very much look forward to the formation of this new joint-venture company," added Rovnag Abdullayev, President, SOCAR. "We are confident that Foster Wheeler will be able to inject into the new entity its proven know-how and its recognized capability to deliver successful projects."

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ConocoPhillips to Split Into Two Next Year

- ConocoPhillips to Split Into Two Next Year



Jul 14, 2011

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) announced Thursday that it will be splitting into two companies. The division should take place sometime in the first half of 2012.

James J. Mulva, the ConocoPhillips chairman and chief executive, said in a statement, "We have concluded that two independent companies focused on their respective industries will be better positioned to pursue their individually focused business strategies."

ConocoPhillips has a potential upside of 13.4% based on a current price of $74.4 and an average consensus analyst price target of $84.38.

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Williams Announced It Submitted An Enhanced Proposal To Acquire Southern Union Company

- Williams Announced It Submitted An Enhanced Proposal To Acquire Southern Union Company



Jul 14, 2011

Williams (NYSE:WMB) announced that it submitted an enhanced proposal to acquire Southern Union Company (NYSE:SUG) for $44 per share in cash, for a total enterprise proposal via a letter to the Special Committee of Southern Union's Board of Directors.

The enhanced proposal represents a premium of 10% over the nominal purchase price in Southern Union's recently revised agreement with Energy Transfer Equity (NYSE:ETE), announced on July 5.

Alan Armstrong, Williams' President and Chief Executive Officer said, "Based on the due diligence we have completed to date, we have revised our forecasts and synergy estimates and are pleased to deliver Southern Union an enhanced proposal to acquire the company for $44.00 per share in cash. We are more convinced than ever of the strategic and financial benefits of Williams' acquisition of Southern Union. Our proposal offers more than just premium value and full liquidity to the Southern Union shareholders; it is designed to result very quickly in a merger agreement and provide certainty around financing and regulatory approvals. Williams is offering Southern Union a clear, direct path to the highest value for its shareholders."

The Williams Cos has a potential upside of 27.8% based on a current price of $28.79 and an average consensus analyst price target of $36.8.

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