21 Aug 2012 07:00
For Immediate Release
21 August 2012
LENI GAS AND OIL PLC
("LGO" or the "Company")
Exploration Lease Divestment, Gulf of Mexico
LGO today announces the sale of its minority interests in two offshore exploration leases in the US Gulf of Mexico.
Leni Gas and Oil US Inc, a subsidiary of LGO, has agreed to sell its interests in two exploration leases; South Marsh Island-6 and Ship Shoal-180 (the "Leases"), in which it holds a 20% interest. The sale is to Byron Energy Inc ("Byron") the lease operator and 80% interest holder. Byron has agreed to pay a consideration of US$400,000. There are no conditions precedent attached to the sale which is expected to complete immediately on acceptance of the assignment of the Leases by the US Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
LGO exercised its option under the Strategic Scouting Agreement with Byron in 2010 to participate in the Leases which Byron won in Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 213. There has been no new seismic or drilling activity on the leases and LGO has capitalized the acquisition costs and rental fees at $212,000. This sale has no affect on LGO's interests in producing properties in the Gulf of Mexico operated by Marlin Energy LLC.
It is anticipated that the proceeds will be invested in the Moruga North Field in Trinidad where final preparations to commence operations have been delayed due to title defects in some of the petroleum rights leases. These defects have now been remedied and it is expected that work can commence in the next two months.
Neil Ritson, LGO Chief Executive, commented:
"This small portfolio adjustment continues the corporate refocusing on Trinidad. These exploration opportunities in the shallow water Gulf of Mexico were non-core to the Company's onshore production growth. The funds will be reinvested in Trinidad through the recompletion of two existing oil production wells at Moruga North and the drilling of the first of our three farm-in wells. We also expect shortly to have further news for shareholders on our planned divestment in Spain."
Enquiries:
Leni Gas & Oil plc
David Lenigas Neil Ritson | +44 (0)20 7440 0645
|
Beaumont Cornish Limited
Nomad and Joint Broker Rosalind Hill Abrahams Roland Cornish | +44(0) 20 7628 3396 |
Old Park Lane Capital Plc
Joint Broker Michael Parnes Luca Tenuta | +44(0) 20 7493 8188 |
Shore Capital
Joint Broker +44 (0) 20 7408 4090
Pascal Keane
Jerry Keen (Corporate Broking)
Pelham Bell Pottinger
Financial PR Mark Antelme | +44 (0) 20 7861 3232 |
Henry Lerwill |