RE: RNS29 May 2024 12:10
Key Company Updates
· The Company has received the remaining approvals necessary from Matad District to allow the 2024 operational programme to commence. Land use certificates have been issued for the three areas of operation selected by the Company.
· Discussions on timing of mobilisation to re-enter and complete the Heron 1 well for production are ongoing with service provider DQE.
· Petro Matad continues to push the central government to complete the certification process and confirm Block XX as State Special Purpose land to streamline the permitting process in future years. MRPAM has written to the Provincial authorities telling them to revise the coordinates of the area which overlaps with Petro Matad's Exploitation Licence.
· The Company's renewable energy joint venture is progressing its two high-graded projects and has a number of new opportunities including a potential export to China initiative.
Operational Update
Block XX land access and Heron 1 completion
Following the approval of land access from the Matad Citizens' Representatives Committee in late February, the Company has now secured the Matad Governor's follow up resolution and the land use agreement for the three areas chosen for operations in 2024. The land access granted is valid for five years, and this local level approval allows work to go ahead whilst the central government's process to certify the Block XX Exploitation Area as State Special Purpose Land is completed.
As part of the local level approval, with the support of the Land Agency and industry regulator the Mineral Resources and Petroleum Authority of Mongolia (MRPAM), Petro Matad paid compensation to the herders whose registered pastures will be impacted by the Block XX Exploitation Area.
With the local land use approval in place, Petro Matad is in discussion with service provider DQE to agree the timing of mobilisation of the completion crew to Heron 1. If possible, it is hoped to have the crew at site before Mongolia's parliamentary elections on 28th June, although campaigning tends to have a disruptive influence on logistics in the country. If not possible before, mobilisation shortly after the election will be targeted.
Discussions with PetroChina on oil processing, export and sale are waiting on feedback promised at a constructive meeting held in early May. Even if the oil offtake is not finalised, Petro Matad will prioritise getting the Heron 1 well ready to produce as soon as possible since we are aware that DQE expects to be busy with PetroChina and other operators from early Q3 2024.