RE: SUB27 Sep 2014 16:36
To date MXO have incorporated the JV with GEO. The JVCo has been granted a general permit to operate as a fully incorporated entity in Mexico that will allow it to participate in the E&P bidding rounds scheduled to begin during the second week of November.
Subject to securing a Production Sharing Agreement ("PSA"), the JVCo will look to obtain an operating licence to develop E&P activities in Mexico. MX Oil, along with its partner Geo, continues to be in discussions with Pemex, the state-owned national oil company, with regard to making an application for a PSA in respect of three assets in Mexico as announced on 1 August 2014. A further announcement on this will be provided in due course but I believe this will not be too long before a PSA is agreed. These assets have already been won by Pemex in round zero and are separate from the bidding rounds in November. I do not think it will be long before we find out what potential the 3 assets have but have already been won by Pemex in round zero.
With the JV Company now established, MX Oil is well placed to develop oil and gas assets in Mexico with company-making potential. Discussions with both the Mexican authorities and state-owned Pemex are on-going and further updates will be provided in due course, as we look to build on the excellent progress we have made in such a short period of time.
MX Oil's Chief Executive Officer Stefan Olivier said, "Combined with our recent oversubscribed placing of £2 million, the proceeds from the disposal of some of our investments for a small profit will be put to good use as we look to secure our position as an early mover in the vast Mexican energy sector. We are highly encouraged by the progress we have made to date which has seen us secure a JV with a well-connected local partner with a proven track record in the Mexican energy sector, and recently enter constructive discussions with both the Mexican authorities and state-owned Pemex with a view to securing our first concessions, each of which has company-making potential. The review of the available opportunities is proceeding apace, and as a result we have decided to proceed with the incorporation and funding of the JV company. I look forward to providing further updates on our progress during this exciting time for MX Oil."