LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwire - Aug. 16, 2011) -
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Heritage Oil Plc (News - Market indicators)(LSE:HOIL), an independent upstream exploration and production company, announces that the drilling and testing of horizontal well 363 has been completed in the Zapadno Chumpasskoye Field in Russia, resulting in a significant increase in production.
Highlights
- Production from the field has increased from 431 bopd in the first quarter to a current level of c.1,600 bopd
- Oil is light gravity (39˚ API) and sweet
- The well tested at rates of up to 1,405 bopd and is currently producing 1,205 bopd
- Maximum well potential calculated to be 2,365 bopd
- Further horizontal drilling is planned with the next well scheduled to spud in the fourth quarter
Heritage is pleased to announce the drilling and testing of the first horizontal well in the Zapadno Chumpasskoye Field has completed and results have exceeded pre-drill expectations. Production from the field is currently c.1,600 bopd, which is a significant increase on the level achieved in the first quarter of 431 bopd.
Well 363 is currently producing at a controlled rate of 1,205 bopd. During the flow test, the well produced at rates of up to 1,405 bopd and the well potential has been calculated to be 2,365 bopd. Currently, we plan to drill a further horizontal well in the field in the fourth quarter.
Historical development of this reservoir throughout the region has been through conventional drilling on a grid pattern. Heritage recognised a potential opportunity to improve the efficiency and economics of field development by utilising horizontal drilling technology, thus decreasing the number of wells and the total cost required to develop the field while potentially improving recovery. The previous reserves review and development plan undertaken by RPS Energy in June 2009 will be updated in due course incorporating the results of well 363 and management expect these results will increase the valuation of the field.
Tony Buckingham, Chief Executive Officer, commented:
"We are delighted that the first horizontal well drilled on the field has surpassed our expectations and provided a step change in our production levels. This is the fourth well we have drilled on the licence and its success indicates this is the best technique to optimise development of the field. We look forward to further increases in production with the next horizontal well scheduled to spud in the fourth quarter."
Heritage has a 95% equity interest in ChumpassNefteDobycha Limited, a Russian Company whose sole asset is the Zapadno Chumpasskoye licence. RPS Energy, in an independent evaluation, estimated that Zapadno Chumpasskoye contains proved and probable reserves of 60.6 million barrels of oil net to Heritage as at 30 June 2009.
Notes to Editors
- Heritage is listed on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. The trading symbol is HOIL. Heritage has a further listing on the Toronto Stock Exchange (News - Market indicators).
- Heritage is an independent upstream exploration and production company engaged in the exploration for, and the development, production and acquisition of, oil and gas in its core areas of Africa, the Middle East and Russia.
- Heritage has a producing property in Russia and exploration projects in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malta, Pakistan, Tanzania and Mali.
- All dollars are US$ unless otherwise stated.
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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:
Except for statements of historical fact, all statements in this news release – including, without limitation, statements regarding production estimates and future plans and objectives of Heritage – constitute forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties such as: risks relating to estimates of reserves and recoveries; production and operating cost assumptions; development risks and costs; the risk of commodity price fluctuations; political and regulatory risks; and other risks and uncertainties as disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its Prospectus and elsewhere in Heritage documents filed from time-to-time with the London Stock Exchange and other regulatory authorities. Further, any forward-looking information is made only as of a certain date and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking information or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management of the Company to predict all of these factors and to assess in advance the impact of each such factor on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking information.