ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN, Feb 07, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) —
Tethys Petroleum Limited (“Tethys” or the “Company”) (TSX: TPL) today announced the proposed amendments to the Kul-Bas Exploration Contract (“the Contract”) have now been incorporated into the Contract by the Ministry of Oil and Gas of the Republic of Kazakhstan (“MOG”). These amendments, which had been previously agreed with MOG, grant an extension to the Exploration Period for the Company’s by a further two years until November 11, 2013.
The Kul-Bas contract area (which currently covers an area of 7,632 km2 (1.9 million acres)) surrounds the Akkulka contract area where the Company has recently made the AKD01 “Doris” oil discovery and where work is currently underway to appraise this oil discovery and explore the surrounding area.
The original Contract terms involved a 6-year exploration period with relinquishments (after which all areas outside commercial discovery areas would be relinquished) and a 19-year production period, which could be extended. The extension to the exploration period gives Tethys an additional two years to explore this attractive area that has several prospects and leads and with a proved oil system in the Akkulka block which is surrounded by the Kul-Bas area.
George Mirtskhulava, Head of Tethys’ Kazakhstan Business Unit, commented: “I am very pleased that the Ministry of Oil and Gas continue to support Tethys’ exploration efforts and this further demonstrates the ongoing support which the Kazakh authorities show to oil and gas companies who meet their contractual commitments.”
Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia with activities currently in the Republics of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. 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, 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. See our Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2009 for a description of risks and uncertainties relevant to our business, including our exploration activities.
Contacts: Tethys Petroleum Limited Sabin Rossi Vice President Investor Relations +1 416 572 2065 +1 416 572 2201 (FAX) info@tethyspetroleum.com www.tethyspetroleum.com Tethys Petroleum Limited TD Canada Trust Tower 161 Bay Street, 27th Floor Toronto N5J 2S1, Canada Mobile site: http://m.tethyspetroleum.com In Asia-Pacific Quam IR Anita Wan, Associate Director + (852) 2217-2999 + (852) 2217-2999 (FAX) anita.wan@quamgroup.com Quam IR 3/F Fung House 19-20 Connaught Road Central Hong Kong SAR, PRC (FAX)
SOURCE: Tethys Petroleum Limited
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