Malcys take….10 Aug 2021 12:01
Tower Resources
Tower has announced that it has executed a binding Heads of Agreement in respect of a farm-out to Beluga Energy Limited (“Beluga”) of a 49% non-operating working interest in its Thali Production Sharing Contract in Cameroon, conducted through its wholly-owned subsidiary Tower Resources Cameroon S.A.
This is excellent news for Tower shareholders and they point out the key economic elements as follows. The farm-out covers US$15 million towards the cost of the NJOM-3 well that Tower is planning to drill on the Thali block; Beluga will receive a 49% working interest in the PSC, subject to an overriding royalty of 10% for Tower’s subsidiary TRCSA on the contractor share of production accruing to Beluga under the PSC;
The well cost is currently expected to be approximately US$16.8 million, of which approximately US$3 million has already been spent and each party will recover costs actually funded and recoverable under the PSC, pari-passu; Tower will effectively contribute its non-recoverable costs in consideration of the 10% overriding royalty on the contractor share of production referred to above;
Costs in excess of U$15 million, and future costs, will be funded pro-rata with respect to Tower’s and Beluga’s working interests.
The HoA are binding subject only to final documentation, a financing contingency requiring Beluga’s shareholders’ approval, and approval of the Minister of Mines, Industry and Technological Development (“MINMIDT”). The draft Joint Operating Agreement (“JOA”) between Tower and Beluga has already been prepared, and together with the draft farm-out agreement will shortly be submitted to MINMIDT for approval, which is expected to occur within 60 days of submission of the file according to the Petroleum Code. Tower and Beluga intend to complete the transaction by 30th September 2021, subject to any delays in completing the conditions precedent.
Warebibo Soroh, the CEO of Beluga, commented:
“We are pleased to be associated with Tower’s management team in the development of the Thali block in Cameroon. This investment fits perfectly with our strategy to invest in de-risked upstream assets, and supports the integration of our services from downstream to upstream. Our technical team has extensive experience in developing assets in the Gulf of Guinea and will collaborate with Tower in bringing the Thali block to first oil.”
Jeremy Asher, Tower’s Chairman and CEO, added:
“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with Warebibo Soroh and his colleagues at Beluga, and to fulfil our shared ambition to move this project forward to oil production in Cameroon. Short-cycle oil and gas development projects such as this have excellent economics, which reflect their importance to Africa’s overall energy balance. The Njonji structure on which we are drilling the NJOM-3 well is one of several attractive structures on the Thali block, and we are looking forward to a great future developing these resources