EnQuest to farm out approx. ?300m of Alma/Galia

RNS Number : 3455E

EnQuest PLC

29 May 2012

 



EnQuest PLC, 29 May 2012. 

EnQuest to farm out approximately £300m of the Alma/Galia development

EnQuest PLC today announces an agreement with the Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company ('KUFPEC'), by which EnQuest will farm out a 35% interest in EnQuest's Alma and Galia oil field developments ('Alma/Galia') to KUFPEC.  Under the agreement, which is subject to regulatory approvals, KUFPEC is to invest a total of approximately US$500m in cash (around £300m), comprised of up to $182m in future contributions for past costs and a development carry for EnQuest, and of KUFPEC's direct share of the development costs.

Amjad Bseisu, Chief Executive of EnQuest PLC, said

"EnQuest is pleased to be working with KUFPEC again and to have them as our partner in the Alma/Galia development.  With start up planned for late next year, the project team is well advanced in the execution phase and our first Alma well has reached 'TD' (total depth) with good results."

Nizar M. Al-Adsani, Chairman & Managing Director of KUFPEC, said

"In keeping with KUFPEC's strategic objective to acquire quality production and reserves, we are pleased to re-enter the North Sea through EnQuest's Alma and Galia project.  The North Sea transaction flow activity affords KUFPEC an opportunity to grow a material business through alignment with valued partners such as EnQuest."

Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, said

"This is good news for North East Scotland and the whole of the UK.  At the Budget, the Government set out ambitious measures to stimulate billions of pounds of new investment in the North Sea, increasing production and creating jobs. Today's deal between EnQuest and KUFPEC, bringing up to £300m of foreign investment into the North Sea, proves that the UK continental shelf remains an attractive prospect. The Government will continue working with the industry in the North Sea to get the most of what is a huge national asset."

Further details of the transaction

KUFPEC will pay its pro rata share of costs effective from 1 January 2012 and will also pay up to $182m in future contributions for past costs and development carry, in relation to EnQuest's remaining interest in Alma/Galia.  The capital cost of the project is being revised to include some additional costs relating to increased scope, intended to extend the life of the oil field.  EnQuest anticipates costs of the development of approximately $1bn.  If KUFPEC does not recover its costs by 1 January 2017, then it will receive 50% of revenue less operating costs until those costs have been recovered.

EnQuest Alma/Galia net production post this transaction's completion   

EnQuest previously announced that it anticipated peak production of over 20,000 Boepd from Alma/Galia, following first oil, expected in Q4 2013; this was based on EnQuest having a 100% interest in Alma/Galia.  Whilst the farm out significantly enhances the economics of the project, by farming out 35% of the gross production EnQuest will therefore reduce its net production, by approximately 7,000 Boepd in 2014 and by approximately 1,750 Boepd in 2013.  EnQuest's overall company net production outlook will similarly be reduced.

Additional background to Alma/Galia

The Alma field, previously known as the Argyll field was the first oil field to be developed in the UK North Sea.  Alma was previously abandoned at a relatively low water cut of 70%, using the technology available at the time.  First production is anticipated in Q4 2013, with peak gross production of over 20,000 Boepd.  Alma/Galia is estimated to contain a gross 29 MMBoe, in 2P reserves.  The development is planned to consist of 7 production wells and 2 water injection/disposal wells, tied back to the modified EnQuest Producer, FPSO vessel.  The development plan is designed to be capable of processing high water cut levels up to 95%.

ENDS

For further information please contact:

EnQuest PLC                                                                                  Tel: [phone]

Michael Waring (Head of Communications & Investor Relations)                                              

RLM Finsbury                                                                                 Tel: [phone]

James Murgatroyd

Conor McClafferty

Dorothy Burwell

Notes to editors

EnQuest PLC (www.enquest.com), the largest independent oil producer in the UK North Sea, trades on both the London Stock Exchange and the NASDAQ OMX Stockholm.  It is a constituent of the FTSE 250 index.  Its assets include the Thistle, Deveron, Heather, Broom, West Don, Don Southwest and Conrie producing fields and the Alma and Galia development.  At the end of 2011, EnQuest had interests in 22 production licences covering 27 blocks or part blocks in the UKCS, of which 19 licences were operated by EnQuest. 

EnQuest believes that the UKCS represents a significant hydrocarbon basin in a low-risk region, which continues to benefit from an extensive installed infrastructure base and skilled labour.  EnQuest believes that its assets offer material organic growth opportunities, driven by exploitation of current infrastructure on the UKCS and the development of low risk near field opportunities.

KUFPEC (www.kufpec.com) is a subsidiary of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.  Established by its parent company KPC, KUFPEC is an international oil company, engaged in exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas outside Kuwait, active in Africa, Middle East, Asia, and Australia. KUFPEC participates in joint ventures with similar companies in E&P of oil and gas both as an operator and partner. Major assets comprise of offshore and onshore exploration leases, oil and gas properties and appraisal and development and oil and gas producing properties

Forward looking statements: This announcement may contain certain forward-looking statements with respect to EnQuest's expectation and plans, strategy, management's objectives, future performance, production, costs, revenues and other trend information.  These statements and forecasts involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend upon circumstances that may occur in the future.  There are a number of factors which could cause actual results or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward looking statements and forecasts.   The statements have been made with reference to forecast price changes, economic conditions and the current regulatory environment.  Nothing in this presentation should be construed as a profit forecast.  Past share performance cannot be relied on as a guide to future performance.

 

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