Aminex PLC
26 September 2005
Aminex PLC
Tanzania Farm-Out
Aminex PLC, the oil and gas company listed on the London and Irish Stock
Exchanges, today announces that it has completed an agreement with East Coast
Energy Ltd. of Canada and its wholly-owned Tanzanian subsidiary Pan-African
Tanzania Ltd. ("PAT") to farm out part of the Nyuni Production Sharing Agreement
("PSA") offshore Tanzania, subject to formal approval of the Tanzanian
authorities.
Under the agreement, the Nyuni PSA will be formally divided into two areas, "A"
and "B". Area "A", which is the subject of the agreement, covers the west part
of the Nyuni PSA and represents approximately 25% of the total PSA area. It is
adjacent to the producing Songo-Songo gas field operated by PAT. Area "B",
which is not being farmed out, covers the rest of the PSA area and includes the
Nyuni prospect which was drilled by Aminex and partners in 2003/4, establishing
the presence of Jurassically-sourced crude oil in the region for the first time.
Commencing in October, PAT will undertake, at its own cost, new seismic surveys
over Area "A". Upon completion of seismic PAT will have the right to
participate in an exploration well in Area "A". In this case it will, in
addition to having borne the cost of seismic in Area "A", pay 64% of the costs
of that well to earn an aggregate 50% interest in Area "A". Should PAT decide
not to participate in this exploration well, Aminex will be entitled to retain
all the seismic data paid for by PAT in area "A"
In addition to the seismic programme over Area "A", Aminex will use the same
seismic vessel to acquire further new data over Area "B", making efficient use
of the vessel's presence in the area. This survey will focus on leads and
prospects previously identified by Aminex for better delineation of future
drilling locations.
The seismic survey vessel "Geomariner" is due to arrive in Tanzanian waters in
early October to begin work on this project.
Commenting on the announcement Aminex Chief Executive Brian Hall said:
"We are very pleased to have reached this agreement with East Coast Energy Ltd.
and look forward to a constructive partnership. As Area "A" of the Nyuni
licence is close to the producing Songo-Songo gas field operated by PAT, a
successful discovery of gas could be rapidly integrated into PAT's existing
production operations. The seismic programme planned for fourth quarter 2005
represents the re- start of operations at Nyuni and is part of a programme for
which Aminex raised new equity earlier this year."
26 September 2005
Enquiries:
Aminex PLC
Brian Hall +44 (0) 20 7240 1600
College Hill
Ben Brewerton +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
Nick Elwes +44 (0) 20 7457 2020
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange