CALGARY, ALBERTA and LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM--(Marketwired - July 2, 2013) -
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Antrim Energy Inc. (News - Market indicators) (AIM:AEY) ("Antrim" or the "Company")
Antrim Energy Inc., a Canada-based international exploration and production company, is pleased to announce that the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change ("DECC") has agreed to amend the terms of UK Central North Sea Licence P077 (Antrim 100%) to allow for a revised Field Development Plan ("FDP") for the Fyne Field to be submitted no later than 31 January 2014.
DECC's consent to this amendment includes conditions, amongst other things, that the FDP submission is in its final form, the Environmental Statement is cleared, Antrim is approved as a Production Operator, there is satisfactory evidence of project financing, and first production is achieved prior to 25th November 2016.
Antrim previously announced in late March 2013 that, as a result of rapidly escalating costs, the Company would not proceed with development of the Fyne Field with the Hummingbird Spirit Floating Production, Storage and Offloading vessel ("FPSO"). Since that time, Antrim has been working with DECC and industry partners to find an alternative production system for the ten million barrel field (proved plus probable oil reserves, Fyne Field, as per McDaniel & Associates Consultants Ltd effective 31 December 2012). To that end, Antrim has signed a non-binding Heads of Agreement with Enegi Oil Plc ("Enegi") and Advanced Buoy Technology ("ABTechnology") to undertake engineering studies and preparation of a FDP using buoy technology. Antrim and Enegi-ABTechnology intend to execute a binding Joint Development Agreement, the terms of which will include that there will be no costs to Antrim prior to FDP approval. Upon approval of the FDP by DECC, Enegi-ABTechnology will earn the right to acquire 50% working interest in the licence. Antrim will remain operator.
Commenting on the licence amendment, Antrim's CEO Stephen Greer stated: "We are very pleased to receive this consent from DECC. It allows us to continue with and potentially conclude current farm-out discussions with industry partners on the Fyne Field. A relatively low cost solution is being pursued to attempt to bring this fully appraised field to production within the DECC licence schedule."
Additional information concerning Antrim Energy Inc. is available at www.antrimenergy.com. Investor inquiries may be directed to info@antrimenergy.com or 1-403-264-5111.
Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements
Some of the statements in this announcement may be forward-looking including statements relating to the plans of Antrim for the Fyne Field. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the intent, belief and current expectations of Antrim Energy Inc. Such statements are not promises or guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcome to differ materially from those suggested by any such statements, including without limitation, potential development of the Fyne Field. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of such information may prove to be incorrect. All such forward looking statements involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Antrim's control. Please refer to Antrim's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2012 and dated March 27, 2013 and available for viewing at www.sedar.com, for a list of risk factors. Antrim's actual results could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits that Antrim will derive therefrom. All subsequent forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, attributable to Antrim or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Furthermore, the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as at the date of this news release.
In accordance with AIM guidelines, Mr. Terry Lederhouse, P. Eng. and VP - Commercial of Antrim, is the qualified person that has reviewed the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Lederhouse has over 37 years of experience in the upstream oil and gas industry.
