BOZOI, KAZAKHSTAN–(Marketwired – March 20, 2014) – Tethys Petroleum Limited (“Tethys”) (TSX:TPL) (LSE:TPL), the oil and gas exploration and production company focused on Central Asia and the Caspian Region, is pleased to announce the success of Well AKK18, the second shallow gas exploration well of its 2014 programme. Analysis of data from the well indicates it, like the recently drilled AKK17 well, is similar to the AKK15 well which tested gas at a stable rate of approximately 7 million cubic feet (195,000 cubic metres or 1,167 barrels oil equivalent) per day, and the AKK18 is anticipated to test at a comparable rate.
The AKK18 well was drilled to a depth of 750 metres (2,460 feet) some 6 kilometres (3.7 miles) south-west of AKK15 and encountered a 3.6 metre (12 feet) interval of gas bearing Tasaran sand with an average porosity of 31%. This compares to the AKK15 well which encountered a 4 metre (13.1 feet) gas-bearing interval of similar quality, and which will be tied in as part of this year’s programme. The AKK18 well will now be cased and prepared for production testing later in the year in conjunction with the AKK17 well in order to minimise costs.
The current shallow gas programme includes the drilling of up to 10 new exploration wells, based on the latest seismic data, as well as workovers and tie-ins, and is targeting a three fold increase in gas production by the beginning of 2015.
Dr. David Robson, Chairman and President of Tethys commented, “We now have two successes from the first two wells in this year’s shallow gas programme and have confidence that our geological model will bring further successes through this drilling programme. The anticipated sale of gas into the Chinese market in 2015 at higher prices will bring a step change to the Company, significantly increasing revenues through low cost, shallow wells in a development that has low operating costs and an efficient distribution system.”
Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the Caspian Region. This highly prolific oil and gas area is rapidly developing and Tethys believes that significant potential exists in both exploration and in discovered deposits.
This press release contains “forward-looking information” which may include, but is not limited to, the potential for successful discoveries and their commercialization, and our exploration targets. Such forward-looking statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain assumptions, the fact that the Company will be successful in confirming the existence of the accumulations of petroleum in respect of its exploration targets, and subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including the risk that limited discoveries will result from exploration wells and as a result the risk that any or all of the prospective resources will not become recoverable. See our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2012 for a description of risks and uncertainties relevant to our business, including our exploration activities. The “forward looking statements” contained herein speak only as of the date of this press release and, unless required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise such information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
A barrel of oil equivalent (“boe”) conversion ratio of 6,000 cubic feet (169.9 cubic metres) of natural gas = 1 barrel of oil has been used and is based on the standard energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Tethys Investor Relations
Tethys Petroleum Limited
Sabin Rossi
Vice President Investor Relations
srossi@tethyspetroleum.com
Media / IR Enquiries – London
FTI Consulting
Ben Brewerton
+44 207 831 3113
Asia Pacific
Quam IR
Anita Wan
+852 2217 2999
Tethys Petroleum Limited
info@tethyspetroleum.com
Web: http://www.tethyspetroleum.com
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Source: Tethys Petroleum Limited