ST. PETER PORT, GUERNSEY, Sep 08, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) — Tethys Petroleum Limited (“Tethys” or the “Company”) (TSX: TPL) today provided an update on its drilling activities in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan.
Kazakhstan
Exploration well AKD01, which is the Company’s first “deep” well in the Akkulka Block (“Akkulka”) in Kazakhstan, is currently at a depth of 3,414 metres (11,200 feet) in what is interpreted to be the Triassic sequence. This well has targets in the Cretaceous/ Jurassic sequence and in the underlying Triassic sequence. Electric logs have now been run over the upper part of this interval and these logs have been independently interpreted. In parallel to the results of these logs, hydrocarbon indications were also observed during drilling.
Independent petrophysical analysis confirms the interpretation of moveable hydrocarbons in at least two zones in the Lower Cretaceous / Jurassic interval which may be oil and/or gas condensate. The large Urga gas condensate field (which lies to the south of the AKD01 well) in northern Uzbekistan produces from the Jurassic sequence in a similar structural position. Production testing is planned for these intervals once the well reaches total depth and it is planned to case this section prior to drilling ahead. Only after production testing can a definitive statement be made on the potential for commercial production of oil and/or gas from this well. Currently preparations are being made to clean the hole prior to running casing.
Oil and gas shows have also been evident whilst drilling the Triassic sequence, which is below the Jurassic sequence, but no significant reservoir intervals have yet been encountered. Now that these oil and gas shows have been encountered work is underway to evaluate the potential for deeper Triassic reservoirs and based on this the planned total depth for the well will be determined. The Triassic sequence is one of the major productive horizons in oilfields located in the Mangyshlak area to the south-west of Akkulka.
An independent resource report carried out in 2007 by McDaniel and Associates estimates that the deep structures in the Tethys licenses in Kazakhstan potentially contain up to 690 million barrels oil equivalent of un-risked mean prospective resources.
Tajikistan
Operations continue on the East Komsomolsk well KOM200. After encountering a significant gas influx whilst drilling the upper section of this well work has been underway to kill the well and to stabilise it for drilling ahead. The gas influx is thought to be coming from a fracture tapping into the deeper potential gas reservoir (one of the targets for the well) and after some extensive work the well has been successfully killed, casing run and cemented and preparations are now been made to drill ahead.
East Olimtoi exploration well EOL09 is currently drilling ahead and is at a depth of 2,782 metres (9,127 feet), in the Neogene sequence. This well is being drilled in the south east part of the Bokhtar PSC area, south of Kulob and just to the north of the Panj river.
This press release contains “forward-looking information” which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to our operations. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the fact that the interim drilling results reported in this press release are not necessarily indicative of the final drilling results once drilling of the relevant wells has been completed.” See our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2008 and the following paragraph for a description of risks and uncertainties relevant to our business, including our exploration and development activities.
There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimated resources, including many factors beyond the Company’s control, and no assurance can be given that the indicated levels of resources or recovery of natural gas can crude oil will be realized. In general, estimates of recoverable natural gas and crude oil resources are based upon a number of factors and assumptions made as of the date on which resource estimates were determined, such as geological and engineering estimates which have inherent uncertainties and the assumed effect of regulation by governmental agencies and estimates of future commodity prices and operating costs, all of which may vary considerably from actual results. All such estimates are, to some degree, uncertain and classifications of resources are only attempts to define the degree of uncertainty involved. For these reasons, estimates of the recoverable natural gas and crude oil and the classification of such resources based on risk of recovery, prepared by different engineers or by the same engineers at different times, may vary substantially. Barrels of oil equivalent (“boe”) may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. There is no certainty that any portion of the resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the resources.
The interpretation of logs to indicate the possible presence of hydrocarbons does not mean that these hydrocarbons are definitely present and if they are present it does not mean these hydrocarbons can be produced in commercial quantities.
Contacts: Tethys Petroleum Limited Sabin Rossi Vice President Investor Relations +1-416-572-2065 +1-416-572-2201 (FAX) Email: info@tethyspetroleum.com Website: www.tethyspetroleum.com In Kazakhstan: PG Communications Ardak Akanov, Managing Director Office phone/fax: +7 (727) 272 8867 +7 (727) 272 8237, +7 (727) 272 7745 Email: development@pressclub.kz
SOURCE: Tethys Petroleum Limited
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