Rialto Energy, Vantage Drilling Agree to $12.4M Settlement

Rialto Energy Ltd. and Vantage Drilling Company have settled an agreement regarding payment terms in regards to the early termination of the rig contract regarding Vantage's Sapphire Driller (375' ILC) jackup.

Rialto has agreed to pay Vantage an amount equivalent to 75 days of the operating rate, about $12.38 million. The original contract had specified a rate of $17.33 million for 105 days.

The company had contracted the rig until December 2013 to explore Block CI-202.

In April 2013, Rialto and Vitol E&P entered into a contract to jointly develop Rialto's interests in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. Vitol acquired, subject to regulatory and joint venture partner approval, a 20 percent stake in Rialto Energy (Ghana) Limited in exchange for funds to cover Rialto's $7.7 million obligation to drill the high-impact Starfish-1 exploration well in the Accra Block, Ghana – which is due to spud in June 2013.

Additionally, Vitol will acquire 65 percent of the shares in Rialto Energy (Cote d'Ivoire) Limited in exchange for providing $50 million of capital to be invested in a to-be-agreed Block CI-202 work program. The deal also called for the release of the Sapphire drilling rig, according to an April 23 press release.

"Whilst we are disappointed to have had to make the difficult decision to terminate the rig contract, it was made to ensure that Rialto and Vitol had sufficient time to finalize matters around our recently announced deal and to work together on a robust technical program in Block CI-202," Rialto's Managing Director Rob Shepherd said in a press release. "We are continuing to work with Vitol on finalizing the transaction and are doing everything possible to bring this to a swift conclusion."

With more than 10 years of journalism experience, Robin Dupre specializes in the offshore sector of the oil and gas industry. Email Robin at rdupre@rigzone.com.

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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Rialto Energy, Vantage Drilling Agree to $12.4M Settlement

Rialto Energy Ltd. and Vantage Drilling Company have settled an agreement regarding payment terms in regards to the early termination of the rig contract regarding Vantage's Sapphire Driller (375' ILC) jackup.

Rialto has agreed to pay Vantage an amount equivalent to 75 days of the operating rate, about $12.38 million. The original contract had specified a rate of $17.33 million for 105 days.

The company had contracted the rig until December 2013 to explore Block CI-202.

In April 2013, Rialto and Vitol E&P entered into a contract to jointly develop Rialto's interests in Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana. Vitol acquired, subject to regulatory and joint venture partner approval, a 20 percent stake in Rialto Energy (Ghana) Limited in exchange for funds to cover Rialto's $7.7 million obligation to drill the high-impact Starfish-1 exploration well in the Accra Block, Ghana – which is due to spud in June 2013.

Additionally, Vitol will acquire 65 percent of the shares in Rialto Energy (Cote d'Ivoire) Limited in exchange for providing $50 million of capital to be invested in a to-be-agreed Block CI-202 work program. The deal also called for the release of the Sapphire drilling rig, according to an April 23 press release.

"Whilst we are disappointed to have had to make the difficult decision to terminate the rig contract, it was made to ensure that Rialto and Vitol had sufficient time to finalize matters around our recently announced deal and to work together on a robust technical program in Block CI-202," Rialto's Managing Director Rob Shepherd said in a press release. "We are continuing to work with Vitol on finalizing the transaction and are doing everything possible to bring this to a swift conclusion."

With more than 10 years of journalism experience, Robin Dupre specializes in the offshore sector of the oil and gas industry. Email Robin at rdupre@rigzone.com.

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.
For More Information on the Offshore Rig Fleet:
RigLogix can provide the information that you need about the offshore rig fleet, whether you need utilization and industry trends or detailed reports on future rig contracts. Subscribing to RigLogix will allow you to access dozens of prebuilt reports and build your own custom reports using hundreds of available data columns. For more information about a RigLogix subscription, visit http://www.riglogix.com/.

View the original article here

Rialto Interim CEO Appointed Managing Director

Rialto Energy Ltd. announced Mr. Robert Shepherd, who has been Interim CEO since Nov. 26, 2012, has been appointed to the full-time position of managing director, based in London.

Further to the appointment of Mr. Shepherd, Rialto announces that Mr. Bruce Burrows has advised the Company of his intention to retire from Board during the course of March 2013 due to increasing time commitments elsewhere.

Commenting on today's announcements Chairman Mr. Bruce Burrows said:

"The Board is very pleased to welcome Mr. Shepherd to the Company in a full-time capacity. His appointment comes after an extensive international executive search in which we canvassed many excellent candidates. Mr. Shepherd's commitment and enthusiasm in his interim role has led to his appointment and the Board believes he and the rest of the Rialto team are well equipped to continue advancing the Company.

"I would also take this opportunity to advise that I will be retiring from the Board of the Company during March 2013 when it is intended that Mr. Andrew Bartlett will assume the role of Chairman. This decision comes at a time when the Company has gone through a process of rejuvenation and strengthening in terms of Board and Management. I have enjoyed my time with Rialto immensely and will leave the Board knowing the Company is well placed to move forward with its future endeavors."

Newly appointed Managing Director Rob Shepherd commented:

"I am very pleased that the Board has decided to appoint me to the post of Managing Director. Whilst the Company has been through a difficult 2012, Rialto has a great team and excellent assets and I will do all that I can to ensure that both existing and future shareholders can focus on a potentially highly rewarding 2013 and beyond."

Mr. Shepherd's base salary will be $402,509 (GBP 265,000) per annum along with incentive bonuses to be determined by the Board including, subject to shareholder approval, participation in Rialto's Employee Performance Rights Plan.

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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