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Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc / Index: AIM / Epic: EOG / Sector: Oil & Gas
20 January 2012
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc (`Europa' or `the Company')
Update on UK Production and Romanian Interests
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc, the AIM listed oil and gas exploration and
development company with a combination of producing and exploration assets in
Europe, is pleased to announce the resumption of production at the West Firsby
7 well in the East Midlands, UK. In addition, following a review of the
Company's assets by the new management, the Company announces its decision to
relinquish its 28.75% working interest in the Brodina concession in Romania in
order to focus on the Company's other assets including the Berenx gas appraisal
project in onshore France.
UK Production - West Firsby 7
As reported in the announcement of 16 December 2011, the West Firsby 7 well had
been shut in due to a suspected hole in a section of the tubing. The workover
programme confirmed and rectified the problem and production at the well
restarted on 18 January 2012. Prior to the shut in at West Firsby 7, Europa's
average daily production had been running at approximately 200 barrels of oil
per day (`bopd'). Following the unscheduled downtime, the Company is pleased to
confirm that it remains on course to produce an average of approximately 185
bopd for the six months to 31 January 2012 in line with the range provided in
the announcement of 16 December 2011, and representing a 22% improvement on the
151 bopd achieved in the equivalent period the previous year.
Romania - Brodina
In keeping with the Company's active management of its asset base, an extensive
review of the EIII-1 Brodina concession in northern Romania both in isolation
as well as within the context of the portfolio as a whole was undertaken. This
involved a detailed technical and commercial evaluation of all aspects of the
Brodina licence including the prospectivity of the project, anticipated costs
attributable to Europa's continued participation, associated commitments,
timetable and geologic risk. The result of this analysis has led to the
Company's decision to notify its partners of its intention to withdraw from the
Joint Operating Agreement (`JOA') in the EIII-1 Brodina licence in which it
holds a 28.75% interest.
The end of Phase 1 of the four year extension of the Initial Exploration Period
for the Brodina licence is 22 March 2012. A minimum 60 day notice period
leading up to the anniversary date is required to be given by any participating
party wishing to relinquish an interest in the JOA. As a result, 22 January
2012 is the final date for an existing participant to withdraw from the Brodina
JOA.
Exploration costs of £2.7million previously incurred by the Company on the
Voitinel and Horodnic wells at Brodina will be written off.
The Company continues to actively manage its asset base and remains focused on
developing its highly prospective exploration projects in the UK, Ireland,
France and Romania.
Europa's CEO, Hugh Mackay commented, "I am delighted that our workover
programme for West Firsby 7 has been completed on schedule and that the effect
of the shut in on our overall daily production has been kept to a minimum. Our
UK producing assets generate considerable cash flow that covers our corporate
overheads and at the same time underpins our market valuation.
"In addition, today's news regarding the Brodina licence in Romania is an
example of the disciplined approach we have applied to the management of our
highly prospective asset base. We continually evaluate the risk/reward
trade-off on all our licences and are committed to taking action, whether this
involves progressing an individual project along the development curve or, in
the case of Brodina, choosing to exit. It is a mark of the quality of our asset
base, that Brodina is no longer a priority for Europa. The potential company
maker that is Berenx, in onshore France, as well as our highly exciting
exploration licences in the UK and Ireland remain our focus and I look forward
to providing the market with updates on our progress."
* * ENDS * *
For further information please visit www.europaoil.com or contact:
Hugh Mackay Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc +44 (0) 20 7224 3770
Phil Greenhalgh Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc +44 (0) 20 7224 3770
Sarah Wharry finnCap Ltd +44 (0) 20 7600 1658
Henrik Persson finnCap Ltd +44 (0) 20 7600 1658
Frank Buhagiar St Brides Media and Finance Ltd +44 (0) 20 7236 1177
Lottie Brocklehurst St Brides Media and Finance Ltd +44 (0) 20 7236 1177
Notes
Europa Oil & Gas (Holdings) plc has a diversified portfolio of multi-stage
hydrocarbon assets that includes production, exploration and development
interests, in countries that are politically stable, have transparent licensing
processes, and offer attractive terms. The Company currently produces
approximately 200 barrels per day of oil in the UK, generating sufficient
revenues to cover corporate overheads. In addition, it has highly prospective
exploration projects in the UK, Ireland France and Romania, the most
significant asset being the Berenx gas appraisal project in onshore France.
END
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