Operational Update

Cardinal Resources plc 16 October 2007 Operational Update LONDON - Tuesday, 16 October 2007 Cardinal Resources plc (AIM:CDL) ('Cardinal' or 'the Company'), an independent oil and gas exploration and production company operating in Ukraine, today provides an operational update and update on ongoing refinancing discussions. REFINANCING DISCUSSIONS Cardinal's shares were suspended from trading on AIM on 1 October 2007 pending conclusion of refinancing discussions which, if successful, would enable the Company to clarify its financial position and publish its Interim Results to 30 June 2007. Cardinal remains in ongoing discussions with one or more potential funding providers to obtain a viable short to medium-term financial solution. It has not yet been possible to conclude negotiations or reach agreement on acceptable terms that the Board of Cardinal could recommend to shareholders. As reported on 18 September 2007, the Company has been in discussions with Silver Point Capital ('SPC') regarding the terms of the SPC Payment-in-kind ('PIK') note facility and sought consent from SPC as is normal for a senior lender to draw down on any subordinated loan such as that provided for by the Hares Commitment Letter. SPC has not provided consent to such a drawdown and as a result Cardinal's cash-flow remains very tight. The result of any discussions or negotiations that provide a viable financial solution will be fully disclosed to the Company's shareholders once obtained and shareholder approval sought in accordance with the AIM Rules as required. The Company's Nominated Adviser ('NOMAD'), Nabarro Wells & Co Limited, has given notice of resignation effective 23 October 2007. Cardinal shares will remain suspended under AIM Rule 1 as well as AIM Rule 18 if the current suspension of Cardinal's shares under AIM Rule 18 has not by then been lifted and Cardinal has not appointed a replacement NOMAD by that date. Cardinal is seeking a replacement NOMAD. If Cardinal does not appoint a replacement NOMAD within a month of the existing NOMAD's resignation then the admission of its shares to trading on AIM will be cancelled under AIM Rule 1. Depending upon the outcome of those efforts, the directors of Cardinal will continue to review all the options available to obtain the most value for Shareholders of the Company. SALES COMMENCE FROM GAS GATHERING AND SEPARATION FACILITY Sales from the gas gathering and separation facility have commenced following successful commissioning and tie-in to the state pipeline. The BC #3A well was tied into the gas gathering and separation facility and put into production. The production rate into the sales line averaged 1,037 Mcf/d and 48 bc/d of condensate for an average daily rate of 221 boepd. The gas gathering and separation facility was commissioned on 18 September 2007 with gas sales commenced on 1 October 2007. The work over on the BC #13 well has been completed and the well is ready to be tied into the gas gathering and separation facility pending additional funding. Plunger lift equipment was received for the BC #110 well and, subject to the availability of further funding, this equipment will be installed prior to tie in and commencement of sales. The Company signed a forward gas sales agreement to deliver 218,950 mcf (six million one hundred sixty eight thousand cubic meters) in equal volumes for the period from October 2007 to January 2008 at the price of $4.56/mcf (including VAT); this price represents approximately a 5% discount to the current market price. The current level of production from the BC #3 well is below the level contracted to be delivered. To the extent that the actual level of production reached in October remains below the contractual volume of gas to be delivered, the Company will be required to settle the remaining balance in cash plus a penalty charge of 10%, and may do so subject to available funding. COST OF COMPLETING THE GAS GATHERING AND SEPARATION FACILITY As previously announced on 30 June, Cardinal encountered capital expenditure cost overruns in completing the facility and tie in of wells. Cardinal has now completed the review of submitted invoices against the authorizations for expenditure ('AFEs') to quantify the actual cost overrun, which exceeded the budget by 72%. The total cost of the separation plant construction amounted to $4.74 million and the cost of the tie-ins and flow lines amounted to $2.5 million, against the original total budget of $4.2 million. These costs, which relate largely to the latter category, have exceeded the budget due to the following reasons: • An original underestimation of the gas gathering and separation facility's required specification, particularly in the area of pipelines, valves, flow lines and construction cost of well tie-ins and gathering of gas beyond the perimeter of the main separation plant site; • Significant increases in the cost of flow lines and other materials; and • Higher charges by contractors in order to meet the exacting timescale originally agreed, coupled with a need to agree a figure and resolve disputes amicably in an environment where demand for services of suppliers in Ukraine exceeds supply and agreement must be reached if business is to continue. Cost overruns have been further exacerbated by the late submission of invoices from local contractors and the high volume of disputed invoices received. JAA GAS SALES Outside of Cardinal's ultimate direct control (despite the Company's best efforts to find a solution) but nevertheless important to the future of the Company is potential for a solution to the JAA Gas Sales issue following Ukraine's parliamentary elections, held on 30 September 2007. Approximately 117,000 boe of Cardinal's share of JAA gas produced from both the RC Field and the BC Field JAA 429 was placed in storage in the first half of 2007. Any solution to the JAA Gas Sales issue which would enable recommencement of RC Field and BC Field JAA 429 gas sales from both storage and future production at free market prices would greatly improve cash flow. WORK PROGRAMME UPDATE A water source has been identified at the BC #111 well and work to isolate the zone is to be scheduled, subject to funding being available. Land use agreements were granted for the BC #9 and #17 wells. The casing adapter flanges on the BC #17 and #9 wells were attached to the casing stub and the casing and wellheads installed. Further work is on hold pending funding. The BC# 7 well land allocation is still outstanding. SEISMIC RESULTS The field work of the 3D seismic survey over approximately 65 km(2) of the BC licence area was completed during the period. The data processing and interpretation is expected ready to proceed, subject to additional funding. PREVIOUSLY MADE FORECASTS All previously made forecasts by the Company including year-end production run rates and general and administrative cost savings are under review pending the conclusion of refinancing discussions and identification of the source of short to medium term funding because the availability of such funding affects the timing, bases or assumptions underlying the achievement of such forecasts. Glossary of Terms boe Barrels of oil equivalent boepd Barrels of oil equivalent per day BC Licence Bilousivsko-Chornukhinska licence area (also known as Rudis) DB Licence Dubrivska licence area RC Field Rudivsko-Chernovozavodske licence area NY Licence North Yablunivska licence area Cliff West, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Cardinal (Member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists - Certified Petroleum Geologist # 1563) is the qualified person that has reviewed and approved the technical information within this press announcement. For further information please contact: Cardinal Resources Conduit PR Ltd Charles Green / Natalia Egorova Jonathan Charles +44 (0) 20 7936 5250 +44 (0) 20 7429 6666 investor.relations@cardinal-uk.com Nominated Adviser Nabarro Wells & Co. Limited John Wilkes / Marc Cramsie +44 (0) 20 7710 7400 cardinal@nabarro-wells.co.uk Notes to Editor Cardinal Resources plc is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the acquisition, development, production and exploration of oil and natural gas properties in Ukraine. Cardinal is an experienced operator in the country focused on expanding its existing operations through the farm-in or acquisition of additional upstream oil and gas assets that can be further developed through the application of modern technology and expertise. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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