Apache Announces Concession Extensions in Egypt's Western
Desert
West Kanayes E-1X discovery to add gas and condensate
production
HOUSTON, Feb 18, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX News Network/ --
Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) announced today that Egypt's Ministry
of Petroleum has finalized extension of the Khalda Offset and East Bahariya
concessions in the Western Desert. The extensions will permit Apache to
continue its exploration program across approximately 1.5 million acres.
Apache also announced the West Kanayes E-1X discovery on a
concession adjacent to Khalda Offset in the Matruh Basin. The well tested at
an aggregate rate of 17 million cubic feet (MMcf) and 1,960 barrels of oil
per day from 80 feet of net pay in three zones in the Jurassic Alam el Buieb
(AEB-6) formation.
"The West Kanayes E-1X extends AEB production eastward
about four miles from production in Khalda Offset and into the sparsely
drilled West Kanayes Concession," said Tom Voytovich, vice president of
Apache's Egypt Region. "With the high oil rate encountered in the upper
zone, this well will be produced to maximize liquids production during the
time when our gas-handling capacity is facilities-constrained."
Two additional exploratory wells are planned in 2010 for West
Kanayes, where Apache is operator and has a 100-percent contractor interest.
The Khalda Offset and East Bahariya concessions are among 22
operated by Apache in joint ventures with the Egyptian General Petroleum
Corp. Apache is the largest producer and most active explorer in Egypt's
Western Desert. Gross production from all Apache concessions was 175,000
barrels of oil and 752 MMcf of gas per day in the fourth quarter. Net
production in the fourth quarter was 96,000 barrels and 383 MMcf per day.
"The Western Desert is rich with exploration opportunities,
with dozens of potential pay zones across a wide area," Voytovich said.
"These two agreements will permit Apache to sustain our exploration
program in areas where we have been successful in the past. For example,
Apache's largest discovery - the Qasr Field - was drilled on the Khalda
Offset Concession."
Based on 2009 exploration success in and around the newly
extended concession areas, Apache has accelerated three-dimensional seismic
acquisition activities in the area along with a full slate of exploration
drilling.
At Khalda Offset, the new agreement extends the exploration
phase through July 2016. Apache committed to drill at least 10 wells with a
minimum capital commitment of $45 million along with a signature bonus of $35
million. The agreement covers 908,900 acres.
At East Bahariya, the new concession agreement extends the
exploration phase through July 2012. Apache committed to drill at least three
wells with a minimum financial commitment of $10 million and a signature
bonus of $4 million. The agreement covers approximately 673,800 acres.
Apache is an independent oil and gas exploration and production
company with operations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, the United
Kingdom North Sea, Australia and Argentina. Apache posts announcements,
updates and investor information, in addition to copies of all recent press
releases, on its Web site, www.apachecorp.com.
This news release contains certain "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, without
limitation, expectations, beliefs, plans and objectives regarding production
and exploration activities. Any matters that are not historical facts are
forward-looking and, accordingly, involve estimates, assumptions, risks and
uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks, uncertainties and other
factors discussed in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, on
our Web site and in our other public filings and press releases. There is no
assurance that Apache's expectations will be realized, and actual results may
differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. We
assume no duty to update these statements as of any future date.
APA-EG
SOURCE Apache Corporation