BOZOI, KAZAKHSTAN–(Marketwired – March 7, 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 that AKK17, the first shallow gas exploration well of its 2014 programme has been successful. Analysis of data from the well indicates it to be 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 AKK17 appears likely to test at a comparable rate.
The AKK17 well, drilled to a depth of 653 metres (2,142 feet) some 2.2 kilometres (1.4 miles) NE of the AKK15 well, encountered a 4 metre (13.1 feet) interval of gas bearing Tasaran sand with an average porosity of 31%. This compares to the AKK15 well which also encountered a 4 metre (13.1 feet) gas-bearing interval of similar quality, and which will be tied in as part of this years programme. The AKK17 well will be flowed as part of a testing programme to be carried out after further wells have been drilled. The drilling rig has now been mobilised to the second shallow gas exploration well location, AKK18, and drilling should commence within the next week.
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. Current production is some 9.2 million cubic feet (324,000 cubic metres) per day. At this time it is also hoped that negotiations of a new gas supply contract potentially to the Chinese market have been concluded now that the gas trunkline connecting to the Central Asia – China gas export system has been commissioned.
Graham Wall, Chief Operating Officer of Tethys commented, “The success of the AKK17 well once again shows that our geological model and geophysical interpretation of these sandstones is robust. This well will contribute significantly to our planned increased gas production and we are pushing forward with the rest of the programme.”
On other operations and production levels in Kazakhstan: Oil production from the Doris field is currently at approximately 3,000 barrels of oil per day with the mechanical issues relating to well pumps having now been resolved and the recent adverse weather conditions having improved. Further work is planned this year to increase oil production including horizontal drilling and bringing on stream the Dione oilfield.
Testing of the AKD08 (Doto) well over the Jurassic carbonate interval is ongoing. Despite indications of hydrocarbons from the well data, so far no commercial flow has been achieved. In order to fully test this zone it is planned to carry out radial drilling with the aim of intersecting fracture systems which are likely to be a major flow conduit in this carbonate reservoir. Such equipment is currently being sourced and this work will be carried out as soon as is possible.
Despite extreme winter weather and significant logistical issues, including roads being closed by the authorities because of weather, the first phase of the stimulation on the KBD01 has now been successfully completed with the reservoir being fracked. Further work is now required to complete the stimulation of the well, which is targeting what is believed to be gas condensate in tight Carboniferous platform carbonates within a significant structure. Equipment for this final stage is currently being sought and will be mobilised as soon as the required tendering is completed and the weather has improved.
Tethys is focused on oil and gas exploration and production activities in Central Asia and the Caucasus. 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