RE: Well done LTH's25 Jul 2023 02:31
Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (LSE:COPL, CSE:XOP, OTC:VELXF) shares shot up by around 20% in Monday morning's early deals as the AIM-quoted firm advanced a partnering process that promises to trigger the development of its Cole Creek property in Wyoming by signing a letter of intent (LOI).
The LOI starts a period of exclusivity with the potential partner, which is not named in the statement, and follows talks under a non-disclosure agreement since October.
It is expected that the parties will now work on finalising a firm agreement to cement the partnership and bring the project development into action.
"We have been working on this project for some time,” COPL chief executive Arthur Millholland said in a statement. “We first identified the potential at Cole Creek before completion of our Atomic acquisition in March 2021.”
Millholland added: “This LOI is the first step completed in a process initiated in October of last year after the Cuda acquisition. The company that has entered into the LOI with us is the best partner we could have of the ones we have considered.
“Our company brings considerable experience and understanding of Cole Creek, including operating the early stage enriched gas miscible EOR (enhanced oil recovery) project at the neighbouring Barron Flats Shannon Unit.
“This EOR experience can be directly applied to Cole Creek as they have many similar reservoir characteristics. We look forward to updating our stakeholders when able as the process proceeds."
In London, investors cheered the new developments as COPL shares gained 0.33p or 19.35% to change hands at 2.03p each.
Cole Creek currently comprises some 17 previously drilled oil wells, plus potential for further development drilling.
COPL, on its website, highlights “significant upside” potential through redevelopment using horizontal wells.
Prior modelling of the project suggested a forecast production rate in the range of 3,500 to 4,000 barrels per day, which could be elevated through miscible flood operations.