CALGARY, ALBERTA–(Marketwired – May 31, 2016) – WesternZagros Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WZR) (“WesternZagros” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the approval of the Garmian Block Field Development Plan (“FDP”) from the Kurdistan Regional Government (“KRG”) and the submission of the Kurdamir Block FDP. Both blocks are located in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Garmian Block Field Development Plan Approval

WesternZagros and its co-venturer, Gazprom Neft Middle East B.V. (“Gazprom Neft”), have received approval for the Garmian FDP for the Sarqala Field from the KRG.

“This approval is a key milestone for WesternZagros and reconfirms our commitment to continue to grow the Company,” said Simon Hatfield, Chief Executive Officer of WesternZagros.

The Garmian FDP is focused on the development of the Jeribe / Upper Dhiban reservoir which is estimated to contain 13 million barrels (“MMbbl”) of 2P oil Reserves and 66 MMbbl of unrisked P50 Prospective oil Resources (both Gross Block). The first phase of development includes the continuation of production from the Sarqala-1 well, and the drilling of two additional development wells to increase production and to convert prospective resources into reserves.

Since production began, the Sarqala-1 well has produced over 3 MMbbl of 40 degree API, light oil with no formation water and no hydrogen sulphide. The field is currently producing approximately 5,000 barrels per day (“bbl/d”) of oil from Sarqala-1 through the existing surface facility which has the capacity of up to 15,000 bbl/d.

The Sarqala-2 well is anticipated to spud in the first half of 2017 and is planned to target a fractured portion of the reservoir identified on the 3D seismic. The Sarqala-3 well will follow with similar objectives. The potential for further development of the Jeribe / Upper Dhiban reservoir will be assessed following the results from this first phase.

Kurdamir Block Field Development Plan Submission

WesternZagros and its co-venturer, a subsidiary of Repsol S.A., Talisman (Block K44) B.V, (“Repsol”), have submitted a FDP to the KRG to develop the significant oil and gas resources discovered on the Kurdamir Block.

“We are encouraged by Repsol’s leadership on this project and the submission of the FDP is a significant step forward to extract value from our Kurdamir discovery,” said Simon Hatfield.

The Kurdamir FDP is a phased development that will be executed over a period of several years. Phase 1 is focused on the development of the Oligocene oil and gas discovery and includes a central processing facility shared equally between the Kurdamir Block and Repsol’s adjacent Topkhana Block. The facility will have a capacity of 150 million standard cubic feet of gas per day with liquids handling for condensate and oil. Repsol is the operator of both the Topkhana and Kurdamir blocks.

The co-venturers and the KRG continue to negotiate a gas sales agreement to provide Phase 1 gas from the Kurdamir and Topkhana blocks to the domestic market. In addition, the KRG is responsible for the construction of a gas pipeline from the Kurdamir/Topkhana block boundary to a tie in point at Chemchemal. A final investment decision to advance the project is anticipated upon completion of the gas sales negotiations, the pipeline engineering, procurement and construction award and approval of the FDP.

About WesternZagros Resources Ltd.

WesternZagros is an international natural resources company focused on acquiring properties and exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas in Iraq. WesternZagros, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, holds a 40 percent working interest in two Production Sharing Contracts with the Kurdistan Regional Government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WesternZagros’s shares trade in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “WZR”.

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NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements relating to, but not limited to, expected increases in production, timing for drilling new wells, current development plans, and potential for further development. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as “anticipate”, “estimate”, “expect”, “potential”, “could”, “should” or similar words suggesting future outcomes. The Company cautions readers and prospective investors in the Company’s securities to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information as, by its nature, it is based on current expectations regarding future events that involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by WesternZagros.

Forward looking information is not based on historical facts but rather on management’s current expectations as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to management, concerning, among other things, development plans and concepts, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), expected drilling results, the continued ability to sell production in the domestic or export markets and the payments to be received in connection therewith, anticipated operating costs, future economic conditions, future currency and exchange rates, continued political stability, continued security in the Kurdistan Region, timely receipt of any necessary co-venturer, government or regulatory approvals, the successful resolution of any disputes and the participation of the Company’s co-venturers in joint activities. Although the Company believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by WesternZagros including, but not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry (e.g. operational risks in development and production; inherent uncertainties in interpreting geological data; changes in plans with respect to capital expenditures; interruptions in operations together with any associated insurance proceedings; the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation to timing, costs and expenses and health, safety and environmental risks), the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, risks relating to domestic refining capacity and continuing ability to access the domestic market, risks relating to the ability to access export markets and receive payments in accordance with the PSC terms on a timely basis, the uncertainty associated with any dispute resolution proceedings, the uncertainty associated with negotiating with foreign governments and risk associated with international activity, including the lack of federal petroleum legislation and ongoing political disputes and recent terrorist activities in Iraq in particular.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive and that these factors and risks are difficult to predict. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, WesternZagros does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. See the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 16, 2016 (“AIF”) filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com for a further description of these risks and uncertainties facing WesternZagros. Additional information relating to WesternZagros is also available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, including the Company’s AIF.

Reserves and Resources Advisory

In addition, statements relating to reserves and other resources contained herein are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the resources described can be economically produced in the future. The reserve and resource estimates provided herein are estimates only and there is no assurance that the estimated reserves and other resources will be recovered. Actual reserves and other resources may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein. Terms related to resource classifications referred to herein are based on the definitions and guidelines in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook which are as follows. The reserves have been evaluated by Sproule International Limited (“Sproule”) as at December 31, 2015 in a report dated March 16, 2016. Resources other than reserves have been estimated by the Company and audited by Sproule as at December 31, 2015 in a report dated March 16, 2016.

“Reserves” are estimated remaining quantities of oil and natural gas and related substances anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a given date, based on (a) analysis of drilling, geological, geophysical and engineering data, (b) the use of established technology and (c) specified economic conditions which are generally accepted as being reasonable and shall be disclosed. Reserves are classified as Proved, Probable or Possible according to the degree of certainty associated with the estimates. “Proved Reserves” are those Reserves that can be estimated with a high degree of certainty to be recoverable. It is likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the estimated Proved Reserves. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 90 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the estimated Proved Reserves. “Probable Reserves” are those additional Reserves that are less certain to be recovered than Proved Reserves. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater or less than the sum of the estimated Proved plus Probable (2P) Reserves. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated 2P Reserves. “Possible Reserves” are those additional Reserves that are less certain to be recovered than Probable Reserves. It is unlikely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of the estimated Proved plus Probable plus Possible (3P) Reserves. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 10 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the sum of the estimated 3P Reserves.

“Prospective Resources” are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by application of future development projects. Prospective Resources have both an associated chance of discovery (geological chance of success) and a chance of development (economic, regulatory, market, facility, corporate commitment or political risks). The chance of commerciality is the product of these two risk components. Unless otherwise indicated, the estimates referred to herein have not been risked for either the chance of discovery or the chance of development. There is no certainty that any portion of the Prospective Resources will be discovered. If a discovery is made, there is no certainty that it will be developed or, if it is developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development or that it will be commercially viable to produce any portion of the Prospective Resources.

Best Estimate (P50) or (2C) is considered to be the best estimate of the quantity that will actually be recovered. It is equally likely that the actual remaining quantities recovered will be greater of less than the best estimate. If probabilistic methods are used, there should be at least a 50 percent probability that the quantities actually recovered will equal or exceed the best estimate.

Gross Block resource estimates presented herein represent the total volumes for the indicated reservoirs attributable to 100 percent of the relevant block, without any adjustment for the Company’s working interest therein whereas the Working Interest (Gross) or Company Gross resource estimates presented represent the Company’s 40 percent working interest (operating or non-operating) share before deduction of royalty petroleum, profit petroleum, production bonuses and capacity building support payments pursuant to the provisions of the applicable Production Sharing Contract.

The section “Statement of Reserves and Other Oil and Gas Information” (including Schedule A) contained in the Company’s Annual Information Form dated March 16, 2016 (“AIF”) filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com, contains additional detail with respect to the Company’s resource assessments and the estimates of net present value associated with its Reserves. This section includes the significant risks and uncertainties associated with the volume estimates and the recovery and development of the resources, the forecast prices and cost assumptions, descriptions of the applicable projects and field development plans (“FDPs”).

As indicated above, unless otherwise indicated, the estimates of Prospective Resources contained in this document are presented on an unrisked basis. Readers should refer to the AIF for the associated risked estimates. Such risked estimates are based upon the Company’s estimates of chance of commerciality set forth therein which involves assessing various risks based upon a number of assumptions and other factors. While the Company believes that such estimates and underlying assumptions are reasonable, many of these assumptions are beyond the Company’s control, are subject to change and may not, over time, prove to be accurate. As such, the actual level of various risks (including those currently identified and additional risks which may be identified in the future) could prove to be greater and the chance of commerciality lower than currently estimated and such differences could be material.

Lisa Harriman
Manager of Corporate Communications and Administration
(403) 693-7017
Email: [email protected]
WesternZagros Website: www.westernzagros.com