CALGARY, Alberta, Sept. 10, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Parex Resources Inc. (“Parex” or the “Company”) (TSX:PXT), a company headquartered in Calgary, Alberta and focused on Colombian oil exploration and production, provides an operational update, highlighted by the Capachos Block Andina discovery.
Capachos (WI Parex 50%, Ecopetrol S.A 50%): Parex, as operator, spud its first exploration well, Andina-1, on June 3, 2018 and the well was rig released on August 26, 2018. The Andina-1 well encountered the primary Guadalupe Formation reservoir at 16,700 feet and was subsequently drilled to 17,500 feet to evaluate a deeper prospective target in the Une Formation.
Logging results from the Andina-1 exploration well indicate potential hydrocarbon bearing zones in the Mirador, Guadalupe and Une formations. The Guadalupe Formation was the primary target and logs suggest the presence of a high-quality reservoir, similar to what was encountered in the Capachos-2 well that tested 3,650 barrels of oil per day (“bopd”) of light oil (please refer to the November 7, 2017 press release: “Parex Announces 2017 Third Quarter Results”).
The Une Formation, which is the deepest prospective zone, was completed and production testing commenced on September 7, 2018. A total of 5,454 barrels of 42 API oil, 227 barrels of water and 19.4 million cubic feet (“MMCF”) of natural gas have been recovered to date. Over a 54 hour period the average production test rate for the well was 2,424 bopd and 8.6 million cubic feet per day (“MMCFD”) of natural gas. The final production rate recorded over the last 4 hours of the test period was 2,545 bopd and 8.7 MMCFD of natural gas with a watercut of 2%. Bottom hole pressure recorders in the well indicate a stable producing drawdown of 12% and a pressure buildup will be conducted at the end of the test.
Parex is in the process of commissioning a gas plant with capacity of 10 MMCFD to process rich gas production from the Capachos operations into liquids and lean gas. The lean gas will be sold to a third party to generate power on site for sales into the local power grid. The gas plant will also be used to process associated gas from multiple Capachos wells.
Encouraged by the production test rates of Andina-1 in the Une Formation and the log results in an additional two potential oil-bearing zones, the Company is preparing initial operational plans for the Andina Norte-1 exploration well, which will appraise an adjacent undrilled prospect on the same trend.
Production: Parex’ Q3 2018 average production to-date is approximately 44,200 barrels of oil equivalent per day (“boe/d”) compared to the Company’s Q3 2017 average quarterly production of 36,195 boe/d. We expect average Q4 2018 production to exceed 48,000 boe/d.
For more information, please contact:
Mike Kruchten
Vice-President Capital Markets & Corporate Planning
Parex Resources Inc.
Phone: (403) 517-1733
investor.relations@parexresources.com
NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
Advisory on Forward Looking Statements
Certain information regarding Parex set forth in this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The use of any of the words “plan”, “expect”, “prospective”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “should”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “forecast”, “budget” or other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements represent Parex’ internal projections, estimates or beliefs concerning, among other things, future growth, results of operations, production, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, plans for and results of drilling activity, business prospects and opportunities. These statements are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially. Although the Company’s management believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement since such expectations are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could cause Parex’ actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Parex.
In particular, forward-looking statements contained in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the performance characteristics of the Company’s oil properties; estimated Q3 2018 average production to date; initial well test results and the Company’s belief that there are additional hydrocarbon bearing zones at Capachos; the Company’s anticipated drilling, development, exploration and other growth plans, including plans for additional wells; and activities to be undertaken in various areas. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions in Canada and Colombia; prolonged volatility in commodity prices; industry conditions including changes in laws and regulations including adoption of new environmental laws and regulations, and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced in Canada and Colombia; competition; lack of availability of qualified personnel; the results of exploration and development drilling and related activities; obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities in Canada and Colombia; risks associated with negotiating with foreign governments as well as country risk associated with conducting international activities; volatility in market prices for oil; fluctuations in foreign exchange or interest rates; environmental risks; changes in income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs relating to the oil industry; changes to pipeline capacity; ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources; failure of counterparties to perform under contracts; risk that Brent oil prices are lower than anticipated; risk that Parex’ evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is not consistent with its expectations; risk that initial test results are not indicative of future performance; risk that other formations do not contain the expected oil bearing sands; and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Parex’ operations and financial results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR website (www.sedar.com).
Although the forward-looking statements contained in this document are based upon assumptions which Management believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. With respect to forward-looking statements contained in this document, Parex has made assumptions regarding, among other things: current and anticipated commodity prices and royalty regimes; availability of skilled labour; timing and amount of capital expenditures; future exchange rates; the price of oil, including the anticipated Brent oil price; the impact of increasing competition; conditions in general economic and financial markets; availability of drilling and related equipment; effects of regulation by governmental agencies; receipt of partner, regulatory and community approvals; royalty rates; future operating costs; uninterrupted access to areas of Parex’ operations and infrastructure; recoverability of reserves and future production rates; the status of litigation; timing of drilling and completion of wells; on-stream timing of production from successful exploration wells; operational performance of non-operated producing fields; pipeline capacity; that Parex will have sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial resources required to fund its capital and operating expenditures and requirements as needed; that Parex’ conduct and results of operations will be consistent with its expectations; that Parex will have the ability to develop its oil and gas properties in the manner currently contemplated; that Parex’ evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is consistent with its expectations; current or, where applicable, proposed industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in effect or as anticipated as described herein; that the estimates of Parex’ production and reserves volumes and the assumptions related thereto (including commodity prices and development costs) are accurate in all material respects; that Parex will be able to obtain contract extensions or fulfill the contractual obligations required to retain its rights to explore, develop and exploit any of its undeveloped properties; and other matters.
Management has included the above summary of assumptions and risks related to forward-looking information provided in this document in order to provide shareholders with a more complete perspective on Parex’ current and future operations and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Parex’ actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits Parex will derive. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and Parex disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities laws.
Oil & Gas Matters Advisory
The term “Boe” means a barrel of oil equivalent on the basis of 6 Mcf of natural gas to 1 barrel of oil (“bbl”). Boe’s may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of 6 Mcf: 1 bbl is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. Given the value ratio based on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1, utilizing a conversion ratio at 6:1 may be misleading as an indication of value.
References in this press release to production test rates and initial flow rates are useful in confirming the presence of hydrocarbons, however such rates are not determinative of the rates at which such wells will commence production and decline thereafter and are not indicative of long term performance or of ultimate recovery. Additionally, such rates may also include recovered “load oil” fluids used in well completion stimulation. While encouraging, readers are cautioned not to place reliance on such rates in calculating the aggregate production for Parex. A pressure transient analysis or well-test interpretation has not been carried out in respect of all wells. Accordingly, the Company cautions that the test results should be considered preliminary.