Ascent Resources Regulatory News (AST)

15 Sep 2009 07:00



Ascent Resources plc / Epic: AST / Index: AIM / Sector: Oil and Gas

15 September 2009

Ascent Resources plc ('Ascent' or 'the Company')

PEN-105 Test Completed

Ascent Resources plc, the AIM-traded oil and gas exploration and production company, through its Hungarian subsidiary PetroHungaria Kft, has completed the testing of the PEN-105 gas well in the Nyírség permits of Eastern Hungary. The gas rates achieved and the reserves associated with this appraisal well were substantially higher than pre-drill estimates. 

The PEN-105 well, an appraisal of the PEN-12 discovery, was drilled to a total depth of 1,487m and has now been completed in the tuffaceous Miocene reservoirs as a production well. Environmental permitting of the pipeline that will be used to bring the gas to market is complete and construction is planned so that gas sales from this well can commence early in 2010. The productive reservoir found at the PEN-105 location is substantially thicker than at the PEN-12 discovery well, which should translate into a significant increase in anticipated reserves for the structure. The higher than expected flow rates are attributed to the use of state-of-the-art drilling mud and perforation technology.

The PEN-105 well is located some 6 kilometres west south west of the PEN-104A gas production well in which Ascent has a 45.23% interest. Other partners in the project include DualEx Energy (37.5%), Geomega (8%), Leni Gas & Oil (7.27%) and Swede Resources (2%).

In Italy permitting has been completed to allow Ascent to commence drilling the Fontana 1 geological appraisal well located in the shallow part of the Anagni structure in the Frosinone Exploration permit in the Latina Valley.  The minor civil works required to prepare the site for drilling are due to commence in the coming weeks with spudding expected to occur soon thereafter. 

The technical information contained in this release has been reviewed and approved Dr Clive Ninnes, Ascent's Engineering Manager.  Dr Ninnes, a member of SPE has 28 years relevant experience in the evaluation of hydrocarbon resources

* * ENDS * *

For further information visit www.ascentresources.co.uk or contact:

Notes

Ascent Resources plc has a diversified portfolio of some 20 hydrocarbon exploration and development projects across five countries in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia and Netherlands.  Ascent's portfolio contains a solid base of field redevelopment projects with selected exposure to exploration upside.  The portfolio is focussed on gas and with the exception of the shallow water Netherlands project, all of its projects are located onshore where operating and development costs are substantially lower than they are offshore.  Ascent also has an oil and gas asset management joint venture with San Severina Holdings SA, a Swiss based investment company, which is focused on acquiring minority interests and providing investment funding for producing and development or appraisal stage oil and gas projects.