19th Nov 2009 07:00
RNS Number : 7229C
Sefton Resources Inc
19 November 2009
Sefton Resources, Inc.
("Sefton" or the "Company")
Interim Operations Update and
Appointment of Investor Relations and US Corporate Counsel Firms
19 November 2009
Sefton Resources, Inc. (AIM: SER), an independent exploitation and production company with assets in the East Ventura Basin of California and the Forest City Basin of eastern Kansas, today provided an interim operations update and announced the engagement of Sierra Partners LLC to assist in developing a comprehensive investor relations initiative. Further, the Company announced that it has retained new U.S. legal counsel, Denver-based Jones & Keller. Sefton operates its assets under the TEG Oil & Gas USA and TEG Midcontinent subsidiaries for California and Kansas respectively.
Tapia Oilfield - East Ventura Basin, Calif.
The Company continues to develop its Tapia Oilfield steam project and has secured a gas contract and is well advanced in equipping the in-field infrastructure necessary for the 2010 program. The Company operates all of its leasehold here with an average 100% working interest (WI) and a 90.4% net revenue interest (NRI). The primary target is the Yule Oil Zone with additional shallow gas horizons with productive potential for lease gas. Sefton controls 1,772.17 gross and net acres in the Eastern Ventura Basin, 262.36 acres of which encompasses Tapia Field.
In the Tapia Oilfield, Sefton commenced with a field-wide cyclic steaming program in September 2009 and is currently steaming its fifth well in the core of the oilfield. In this program, Sefton intends to steam an average of two wells per month through 2010. The data collected during the initial stages of the pilot steam program indicated that a steam injection volume of approximately 6,000 barrels and an estimated heat-soak period of three weeks is required. The first three wells steamed in September and October are now producing oil. As expected, the pilot steam program well response showed a high degree of variability, however, the average response was greater than a three-fold increase in oil production for the initial production month following the steam-soak cycle. These results are very encouraging and have been incorporated into an oil production forecast which is part of the Company's 2009 and 2010 Capital Expenditure Budget. Company engineers are monitoring the early response data and will make the necessary adjustments to maximize hydrocarbon recovery from the targeted producing Yule Oil Zone.
Gas Supply Contract
In August 2009, Sefton entered into gas purchase contracts with Southern California Gas Co. and Devlar Energy to provide an alternative steam-generation fuel source. Sefton also utilizes lease gas and propane and can chose fuel based on price and availability. The current contract allows the flexibility to utilize the most cost-effective fuel source for uninterruptable steam flood activities.
Tapia Facilities
Essentially all of the Tapia facilities necessary for planned cyclic steaming and associated production increases are in place with the exception of limited fuel-gas piping and water supply piping yet to be installed to equip the core of the field. The remaining piping will be installed over the next 30 to 45 days and is expected to be in place by mid-December 2009. The State of California Division of Oil, Gas and Geothermal Resources noted Sefton's efforts to improve field infrastructure and surface facilities. In May 2009, Sefton was presented with a State Award for Excellence in Lease Maintenance. Specific praise was made for the overall cleanup of the oilfield which was left from years of neglect by previous operators and for the rebuilding of the tank batteries to safe and efficient levels that are a model to other operators in the East Ventura Basin.
Steaming Plans
Sefton's 2009-2010 exploitation program contemplates continuous steam stimulation of the Tapia producing wells and subsequent infill drilling of the remaining development wells in the Tapia Field. Upon full development, Sefton will operate an estimated 32 gross and net producing wells in the field. Data will be collected during the cyclic steam process to aid in the design of the next planned step in the steaming program, the steam flood. The additional reserves to be added by the steam flood, once implemented, are expected to greatly enhance the Tapia asset's value. The steam flood will also require the addition of dedicated steam injector wells, and/or conversion of existing wellbores, the addition of steam equipment necessary for increased steam injection volume, and field unitization of all leases.
Drilling and Completion Activities
Year-to-date, Sefton has completed three wells, two of which are oil wells. The Hartje #18 and Yule #11 were both drilled to the Yule Oil Sand and one well, the Yule #9, targeted and encountered both the shallow Saugus Gas Sands and the deeper Yule Oil Sand. The Hartje #18 and Yule # 11 had 30-day initial production rates of 81 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) and 15 BOPD, respectively for a combined average initial production of 48 BOPD, which is well above the average for the field.
Yule #9 Lease Gas Well
The Yule #9 well was initially completed in the Saugus Gas Sands at a depth of 790 feet for the purpose of utilizing the gas to fuel the steam generator at Tapia. Despite using gas-check additives in the cement slurry, the cementing of the 9-5/8" diameter casing was poor across the gas interval. Cement bond logs and sonic images showed strong indications of gas channelling in the behind-pipe cement. Sefton conducted remedial cementing of this zone prior to completing the well. The zone was then perforated and a well screen was then installed across the gas interval. The well has produced water and gas in small quantities over a number of months. Tests to this point indicate that the gas from this particular well would not provide the steam generator the consistent gas stream needed for effective and continuous steaming due to the poor cement results and resultant water influx combining with the gas. The decision was made in August 2009 to utilize utility fuel gas for the steaming in order to provide an uninterrupted fuel source and move the program forward.
The Yule # 9 well was drilled and logged through the oil sand horizons and therefore, the well can be re-completed in this zone for the production of oil and subsequent steaming. The well was drilled in a location that is part of the normal infill drilling pattern for the Yule Zone. Both the Mudlog and the Wireline Log suites show good indications of oil consistent with the surrounding Yule Lease wells that are oil productive. Sefton intends to move a workover rig onto the well site in 2010 to complete the oil zone as part of the steam program.
Production Update
Three wells in Tapia field have incurred corrosion issues and are currently shut-in pending mechanical repair. These include Hartje #14, #16 & #17. As a result of the shut-ins and additional wells shut-in for the planned steam/soak periods, Tapia production has experienced short-term production declines. October production at Tapia was approximately 2,110 barrels of oil per month (BOPM), down sharply from previous months where production averaged 4,978 BOPM during January through September 2009. Company engineers expect increased production volumes now that steamed wells are coming back on line.
Additionally, Sefton has made plans and has budgeted for repair of the aforementioned Hartje wells that will return these wells to primary oil production and make them available for steaming as scheduled. The Company anticipates returning oil production by year-end 2009 to previously forecast levels and an estimated associated reserves calculation at a level that would remain steady or possibly increase due to higher oil prices since the interim reserves calculations were last completed in June 2009.
Corrosion - Analysis and Preventative Program
Down-hole corrosion issues are not unusual in certain oilfield environments and can be caused by a number of different factors. Oilfield service companies have a variety of proven, field-specific chemical treatments to address this issue. Sefton has an ongoing well-treatment program and utilizes surface equipment with a corrosion inhibitor chemical program that operates on a continuous basis. The recent corrosion issues differ from those normally experienced as indicated by recent testing and analyses. Company engineers believe that that is the corrosive properties are likely associated with the reactivation of one of the Tapia water injection wells. Sefton, in conjunction with its oilfield service providers have taken several key steps to analyze and correct the corrosion issue.
Midcontinent Operations - Forest City Basin, Kansas
Sefton continues selective oil and gas operations and midstream infrastructure improvement in the Midcontinent operating area. The Company operates all of its leasehold here with an average 100% WI and an 85% NRI. The primary target is coalbed methane (CBM) with additional shallow oil horizons indicating productive potential. Sefton controls 43,000 gross and net acres in Anderson and Franklin Counties, Kansas and an additional 7,000 gross and net acres in Leavenworth County, Kansas.
Anderson and Franklin Counties
During the fourth quarter of 2008 Sefton successfully reached total depth on the Miller A2-1 well. Due to depressed natural gas prices, completion operations have been delayed until the second quarter of 2010. Management has determined that completion of the well should precede the proposed construction of pipeline infrastructure into the recently acquired Petrol gathering and disposal line and further should precede additional drilling. Following the results of testing, Sefton can commence immediately with the drilling of additional wells on the three locations which are permitted and concurrently initiate construction of the gathering system.
Petrol Acquisition
During 2009, Sefton closed on its option to purchase from Petrol, all of its assets, including 17 wells and associated equipment, located in the Petrol Waverly Project immediately to the west of Sefton's drilling activities in Anderson/Franklin County, Kansas. The acquired assets include a gas gathering and water disposal system, two salt water disposal wells and a 10 million cubic feet per day natural gas processing facility. The connection point for the gathering and disposal pipelines are located three miles west of Sefton's CBM Pilot Program. By completing this acquisition, Sefton has secured access into a major purchaser/interstate pipeline and now has the necessary salt water disposal wells for its pilot program at a greatly reduced cost. The original estimates for a salt water disposal well exceeded $250,000. Consideration for the Petrol Waverly assets was $100,000 paid in cash.
Leavenworth Project
During 2009, Sefton closed on its option to purchase from HDP the inactive Vanguard Pipeline, which is located west and north of Sefton's Leavenworth project, an area presently subject to curtailed or seasonal natural gas sales. The pipeline will provide a gathering system for the Company's future drilling and will establish a basis for potential joint ventures in both exploration and gas gathering and transportation. Once the Vanguard system is active, Sefton will take the necessary steps to facilitate the transport of third party gas as well as Sefton volumes through the system. Consideration in this transaction was $115,000.paid in cash.
Sierra Partners LLC Engaged to Provide Investor Relations Consulting
Sefton is pleased to announce that it has retained Sierra Partners LLC to assist the Company in developing its North American and European investor relations program and investor targeting efforts. Sierra Partners (www.sierrapartners.us) is a Denver, Colorado - based advisory firm that provides investor relations and corporate advisory services to oil and gas and precious metals companies. The firm's IR practice focuses on providing its clients with exposure to institutional investors, sell-side analysts, and investment banking contacts in European, Canadian and U.S. financial centres, through road show marketing trips and industry conference participation. Sierra Partners' investor relations practice is headed by David P. Charles and John S. Gaensbauer. Mr. Charles has over 12 years of experience representing global and domestic oil and gas exploration, production and service companies across the market capitalization spectrum. Mr. Gaensbauer was the former Group Executive, Investor Relations for Newmont Mining Corporation, the world's second largest gold company and has over seven years of experience in marketing precious and base metal companies. Sierra Partners' diverse international practice provides client-focused, company-specific strategies and services that will benefit Sefton in its effort to broaden its market exposure and base of institutional investors.
Jones & Keller Engaged as U.S. Corporate Counsel
Sefton has also engaged the law firm of Jones & Keller, one of Colorado's oldest and most respected law firms (www.joneskeller.com). With expertise in the field of securities, mergers, acquisitions, and civil litigation amongst other focused specialties, Sefton believes that, in conjunction with its UK legal firm (Pinsent Masons - www.pinsentmasons.com) strong legal representation will be assured as the Company moves forward in the coming years.
Management Comment
Commenting on ongoing operations, Sefton's CEO Jim Ellerton said: "We continue to develop our existing assets which are marked by low-risk exploitation. The steaming results are indeed encouraging and are benefiting from the stronger oil price environment. We averaged over $60 per barrel at the well head in the third quarter of 2009, which provides meaningful cash flow to Sefton and its investors.
"It is our belief that natural gas prices will again re-align with oil prices during 2010, therefore we are delaying drilling of new wells in the Midcontinent operating area until prices recover. We view the current depressed natural gas price environment as an opportune time for select, strategic infrastructure acquisitions, producing property acquisitions and for the assembling of undeveloped leasehold at a price that is historically low when compared to the past several years.
"By engaging Sierra Partners to work with management to solidify a proactive investor relations program, we anticipate improving the Company's profile in the major financial centres in North America and in Europe."
Enquiries
Jeremy Delmar-Morgan, Chairman, Tel: 077 8900 4876
John James (Jim) Ellerton, CEO, Tel: 00 1 303 759 2700
David Charles/John Gaensbauer, Sierra Partners LLC, 303-757-2510
Nick Harriss/Wye-Li Long, Blomfield Corporate Finance Ltd.(Nomad), Tel: 020 7444 0800
Daniel Briggs/Alan Rooke, Religare Hichens Harrison plc (Broker), Tel: 020 7444 0500
Note: The information in this release has been compiled and reviewed by Harry Barnum, a director of Sefton, who is a qualified person for the purposes of the AIM Guidance Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies. Mr. Barnum has Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Geology and over 27 years of experience in the oil and gas industry. He is a registered professional geologist in the State of California.
Sefton Resources Inc. is an AIM listed oil and gas production company. Its main core area of activity is in the East Ventura Basin in California, where it owns 100% of two oil fields, Tapia Canyon (heavy gravity oil) and Eureka Canyon (medium gravity oil), both of which have over twenty years of expected production life. In addition, Sefton has over 45,000 acres in the Forest City Basin of Eastern Kansas where Coal Bed Methane gases, as well as conventional oil and gas deposits, are targets.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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