26th Feb 2010 07:00
For immediate release 26 February 2010
Chariot Oil & Gas Limited
('Chariot', the 'Company' or the 'Group')
Pre-Close Update
Chariot Oil & Gas Limited (AIM: CHAR), the Africa focused oil and gas exploration company today gives the following update ahead of its full year results for the year ended 28 February 2010.
Over the past six months work has continued across all the offshore Namibian blocks of interest, the focus being on the processing and interpretation of the comprehensive seismic data that was acquired last year. Chariot holds a large acreage position, totalling an area of 38,725km², and has undertaken extensive seismic acquisition programmes over all of its licences. Initial results in the form of quick look cubes are now available, with further detailed processing and interpretation work continuing.
A number of key indicators have already been identified from the seismic surveys in the Northern Blocks. In particular, the time and depth analysis of the initial 900 km² supports evidence of significant structures, oil prone source rock, bright spots and volcanic highs - all of which indicate a working petroleum system which underscores the prospectivity of this area. Additionally, the processing of the latest 600km² of seismic data is underway.
In the Central Blocks, the Company is continuing to work on the potential resource volumes, the results of which will be announced later this quarter. In the Southern Blocks, work also progresses in partnership with Petrobras on block 2714A and the latest seismic programme is being processed.
Management continues to seek out suitable assets which will enhance the existing portfolio, building on and balancing the high impact exploration that the Namibian blocks offer. The objective is to secure value add opportunities which provide nearer term production or producing potential in order to bring the Group's first oil date forward and generate cash flow in the shorter term. A range of potential new opportunities have been or are currently being reviewed.
The Chariot team has also grown significantly over the past few months with the appointments of Matthew Taylor, Julia Kemper, Alex Green and Martin Richards who bring an average of over 25 years of industry experience to the Company. Along with the staff based in Namibia, Chariot has an enviable in-house technical team with a range of expertise and proven past success in analysing seismic, making discoveries, identifying new opportunities, negotiating farm-outs and completing acquisitions.
Chariot has recently opened a dataroom in London and has received numerous expressions of interest from significant third parties, to visit and review the latest information. Chariot looks forward to welcoming these initial companies and others into the dataroom over the next several months.
Chariot was also pleased to conclude the settlement of the dispute with HRT in early February. The settlement released the $2.5m provision which Chariot included in its interims as at 31 August 2009.
Paul Welch commented, "The past six months have been important for Chariot with a great deal of work being done in-house on our Namibian blocks as well as carrying out substantial due diligence on a variety of new opportunities. With a strengthened technical team in place, a healthy financial position and an exciting exploration portfolio, Chariot is well placed to be optimistic about the future. We look forward to reporting on the resource potential of the Central blocks and our preliminary results in due course."
For further information please contact:
Chariot Oil & Gas Limited |
+44 (0)20 7318 0450 |
Paul Welch, CEO |
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Ambrian Partners Limited (NOMAD and Joint Broker) Richard Swindells
BMO Capital Markets Limited (Joint Broker) |
+44 (0)20 7634 4856
+44 (0)20 7664 8120 |
Bill Smith, Adam Janikowski |
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Buchanan Communications |
+44 (0)20 7466 5000 |
Ben Willey, Ben Romney, Chris McMahon |
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NOTES TO EDITORS
About Chariot
Chariot Oil & Gas Limited (www.chariotoilandgas.com) is an independent oil and gas exploration group. The Group currently holds licences covering eight blocks in Namibia, all of which are offshore. All of these blocks are currently in the exploration phase.
Shares in Chariot Oil & Gas limited are admitted to trading on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol 'CHAR'.
Related Shares:
Chariot