Petroceltic to Farm Out More of Isarene

North Africa and Mediterranean-focused Petroceltic International reported Friday that it is close farming out a further 18.375-percent interest in its Isarene Permit, onshore Algeria. The Isarene Pemit contains the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field.

Petroceltic said the farm-out process is "substantially complete", but is still subject to partner and regulatory approvals that could take several months. The firm also said that it would be seeking to complete the farm-out prior to it transferring its shares to the official lists of the UK Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange in order to make the farm-out process smoother.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O'Cathain commented in a statement:

"The second Ain Tsila farm-out is a major commercial milestone for Petroceltic. The company's decision to give it priority over the listing at this time is a prudent measure to help ensure the farm-out moves forward smoothly in the months ahead. We are still fully committed to the listing."

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Petroceltic to Farm out More of Isarene

North Africa and Mediterranean-focused Petroceltic International reported Friday that it is close farming out a further 18.375-percent interest in its Isarene Permit, onshore Algeria. The Isarene Pemit contains the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field.

Petroceltic said the farm-out process is "substantially complete", but is still subject to partner and regulatory approvals that could take several months. The firm also said that it would be seeking to complete the farm-out prior to it transferring its shares to the official lists of the UK Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange in order to make the farm-out process smoother.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O'Cathain commented in a statement:

"The second Ain Tsila farm-out is a major commercial milestone for Petroceltic. The company's decision to give it priority over the listing at this time is a prudent measure to help ensure the farm-out moves forward smoothly in the months ahead. We are still fully committed to the listing."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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Petroceltic to Farm out More of Isarene

North Africa and Mediterranean-focused Petroceltic International reported Friday that it is close farming out a further 18.375-percent interest in its Isarene Permit, onshore Algeria. The Isarene Pemit contains the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field.

Petroceltic said the farm-out process is "substantially complete", but is still subject to partner and regulatory approvals that could take several months. The firm also said that it would be seeking to complete the farm-out prior to it transferring its shares to the official lists of the UK Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange in order to make the farm-out process smoother.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O'Cathain commented in a statement:

"The second Ain Tsila farm-out is a major commercial milestone for Petroceltic. The company's decision to give it priority over the listing at this time is a prudent measure to help ensure the farm-out moves forward smoothly in the months ahead. We are still fully committed to the listing."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

Petroceltic to Farm Out More of Isarene

North Africa and Mediterranean-focused Petroceltic International reported Friday that it is close farming out a further 18.375-percent interest in its Isarene Permit, onshore Algeria. The Isarene Pemit contains the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field.

Petroceltic said the farm-out process is "substantially complete", but is still subject to partner and regulatory approvals that could take several months. The firm also said that it would be seeking to complete the farm-out prior to it transferring its shares to the official lists of the UK Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange in order to make the farm-out process smoother.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O'Cathain commented in a statement:

"The second Ain Tsila farm-out is a major commercial milestone for Petroceltic. The company's decision to give it priority over the listing at this time is a prudent measure to help ensure the farm-out moves forward smoothly in the months ahead. We are still fully committed to the listing."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

View the original article here

Petroceltic to Farm Out More of Isarene

North Africa and Mediterranean-focused Petroceltic International reported Friday that it is close farming out a further 18.375-percent interest in its Isarene Permit, onshore Algeria. The Isarene Pemit contains the Ain Tsila gas and condensate field.

Petroceltic said the farm-out process is "substantially complete", but is still subject to partner and regulatory approvals that could take several months. The firm also said that it would be seeking to complete the farm-out prior to it transferring its shares to the official lists of the UK Listing Authority and the Irish Stock Exchange in order to make the farm-out process smoother.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O'Cathain commented in a statement:

"The second Ain Tsila farm-out is a major commercial milestone for Petroceltic. The company's decision to give it priority over the listing at this time is a prudent measure to help ensure the farm-out moves forward smoothly in the months ahead. We are still fully committed to the listing."

Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

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Petroceltic Plans Nine Wells over 18 Months

Junior oil and gas firm Petroceltic International outlined plans to drill a minimum of nine wells during the next 18 months when it reported its annual results Monday.

Petroceltic said that its drilling campaign would take place across Bulgaria, Egypt, Kurdistan and Romania.

In Bulgaria, where Petroceltic operates three production licenses including the Galata gas field that it brought into production in 2004, the firm said that its latest exploration well – Kamchia – was spud this month and, if successful, could be rapidly developed through existing infrastructure.

The firm said it was continuing to invest in Egypt, in spite of the high degree of political uncertainty in the country, and that the recent award to it of the onshore South Idku and offshore North Thekah blocks was evidence of its commitment to the country.

In the Kurdistan region of Iraq, a joint venture in which Petroceltic is a part plans to begin drilling two high-impact prospects during the second half of 2013. The firm said that a number of prospects within the joint venture's Shakrok and Dinarta block are assessed to contain prospective resources in excess of 500 million barrels.

During 2012, Petroceltic acquired highly-quality 3D seismic data over the Muridava and Est Cobalcescu blocks in Romania as part of the country's 10th Licensing Round. The firm said it has identified the presence of a variety of potentially material exploration leads and prospects on these blocks, and it plans to drill two of these during 2013 as part of a wider Black Sea campaign. A further four wells are scheduled for 2014.

Meanwhile, Petroceltic has resumed planning for an appraisal well in Italy on the Elsa discovery offshore Abruzzo and was recently awarded the Central Adriatic permit B.R272.EL. Onshore, the firm has made steady progress on the permitting for its Carpignano Sesia well in the western Po Valley.

Petroceltic also said that it has booked reserves for its Ain Tsila assets of 304 million barrels of oil equivalent after a Declaration of Commerciality was made in December 2012.

The firm exceed its production target of 28,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day (boepd) during 2012, with the full-year pro-forma rate coming in at 28,400 boepd.

Petroceltic Chairman Robert Adair commented in a statement:

"Petroceltic has fundamentally transformed its business over the past year. The merger with Melrose in October 2012 has created a significant, regionally focussed, full cycle, independent oil and gas company. This combination has produced a company with stable finances and excellent growth prospects. Petroceltic has the technical expertise and ambition to develop further over the next 12 months while the recent announcement of our new $500 million financing facility represents a strong technical and financial endorsement of the quality of our producing assets and longer term growth ambitions of the group.

"All key objectives set out at the end of last year have been met or exceeded. The Declaration of Commerciality, announced in December 2012, is a significant milestone in the development of our Algerian asset, this has allowed us to book reserves for the Ain Tsila asset for the first time. Looking forward, we have an exciting programme of exploration and appraisal planned over the coming 18 months with a minimum of nine wells planned across our portfolio in North Africa, the Black Sea and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq."

A former engineer, Jon is an award-winning editor who has covered the technology, engineering and energy sectors since the mid-1990s. Email Jon at jmainwaring@rigzone.com.

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Petroceltic Awarded Two Egyptian Blocks

Junior explorer Petroceltic International announced Friday that it has been awarded two blocks in Egypt as part of a joint venture with Edison International.

The blocks, North Thekah and South Idku, were awarded in the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company 2012 International Bid Round.

North Thekah (Block 7) is located offshore the Nile Delta and potentially contains an extension of the Levantine Basin exploration play that has already yielded some giant discoveries. Petroceltic has a 50-percent, non-operated interest in the concession.

South Idku (Block 1) is located in Petroceltic’s core Egyptian operating area, onshore the Nile Delta. In this concession the company has a 75-percent operated interest.

Petroceltic expects the new licenses to be formally awarded in late 2013, following ratification and finalization of the production sharing contracts.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O’Cathain commented in a statement:

"We are delighted to have been awarded both blocks which, together with last year's El Qa'a Plain award, onshore the Gulf of Suez, significantly enhance our Egyptian exploration portfolio. North Thekah is in an area of the Mediterranean which has seen several world class discoveries in recent years and South Idku will complement our existing onshore Nile Delta operations.

"Furthermore, the award of these blocks is consistent with our strategy of organic growth and opportunistic resource capture in territories where we have existing operations, knowledge and experience."

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Petroceltic Awarded Two Egyptian Blocks

Junior explorer Petroceltic International announced Friday that it has been awarded two blocks in Egypt as part of a joint venture with Edison International.

The blocks, North Thekah and South Idku, were awarded in the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company 2012 International Bid Round.

North Thekah (Block 7) is located offshore the Nile Delta and potentially contains an extension of the Levantine Basin exploration play that has already yielded some giant discoveries. Petroceltic has a 50-percent, non-operated interest in the concession.

South Idku (Block 1) is located in Petroceltic’s core Egyptian operating area, onshore the Nile Delta. In this concession the company has a 75-percent operated interest.

Petroceltic expects the new licenses to be formally awarded in late 2013, following ratification and finalization of the production sharing contracts.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O’Cathain commented in a statement:

"We are delighted to have been awarded both blocks which, together with last year's El Qa'a Plain award, onshore the Gulf of Suez, significantly enhance our Egyptian exploration portfolio. North Thekah is in an area of the Mediterranean which has seen several world class discoveries in recent years and South Idku will complement our existing onshore Nile Delta operations.

"Furthermore, the award of these blocks is consistent with our strategy of organic growth and opportunistic resource capture in territories where we have existing operations, knowledge and experience."

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Petroceltic Awarded Adriatic Sea Permit

Petroceltic International announced Thursday that it has been awarded an exploration permit in the central Adriatic Sea, offshore Italy. The firm described the award of the B.R272.EL permit as a "significant step forward" in the development of its central Adriatic portfolio.

The permit covers a block of some 180 square miles and lies around 9 miles from the Elsa discovery and the producing Rospo Mare field. It contains the Turchese prospect, which Petroceltic describes as having high potential.

The work program for the initial six-year phase of the exploration permit includes a 3D seismic acquisition program.

Petroceltic also reported that Eni, the operator of the Carisio permit in the Western Po Valley, has lodged an application for a further extension of the permitting process there until June 30 2013. The extension will allow Eni to present a revised well location that takes into consideration local concerns. Petroceltic has a 47.5-percentr interest in the permit.

Petroceltic Chief Executive Brian O'Cathain commented in a statement:

"Permit B.R.272.EL brings significant additional potential to our Adriatic portfolio directly adjoining and on trend with the Elsa oil discovery. We look forward to working with the relevant Ministries to enable the commencement of seismic operations in this highly prospective region.

"Petroceltic is fully committed to operating in an environmentally sensitive manner in all its operations and will continue to work with all partners and stakeholders to support the National Energy Strategy's objective of doubling Italian oil and gas production by 2020."

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Petroceltic Appoints Director for Algerian Wet Gas Project

North Africa and Middle East-focused Petroceltic International announced Tuesday that it has appointed a new project director for its Ain Tsila wet gas development in Algeria.

Petroceltic said its new director, Geoff Stevenson, has more than 25 years experience of project management on major oil and gas developments in Europe, North Africa, North America, the Middle East and the Far East. He previously worked for Hess Corporation, where he was recently the deliver manager for topsides on the $3 billion Valhall Redevelopment Project in Norway.

The firm said that its Ain Tsila project, which entered its 30-year development period in December, will involve the production of gross reserves of 2.1 trillion cubic feet of gas, 67 million barrels of condensate and 108 million barrels of liquefied petroleum gas. Development planning will begin in 2013 and first gas is scheduled for late 2017.

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Petroceltic Appoints Director for Algerian Wet Gas Project

North Africa and Middle East-focused Petroceltic International announced Tuesday that it has appointed a new project director for its Ain Tsila wet gas development in Algeria.

Petroceltic said its new director, Geoff Stevenson, has more than 25 years experience of project management on major oil and gas developments in Europe, North Africa, North America, the Middle East and the Far East. He previously worked for Hess Corporation, where he was recently the deliver manager for topsides on the $3 billion Valhall Redevelopment Project in Norway.

The firm said that its Ain Tsila project, which entered its 30-year development period in December, will involve the production of gross reserves of 2.1 trillion cubic feet of gas, 67 million barrels of condensate and 108 million barrels of liquefied petroleum gas. Development planning will begin in 2013 and first gas is scheduled for late 2017.

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