21 Jul 2008 07:00
ο»Ώ
LEED PETROLEUM PLC
("Leed" or "the Company")
LeedΒ TransfersΒ PartialΒ Interest inΒ EugeneΒ IslandΒ Assets to Byron
Leed Petroleum PLC, the oil and gas exploration and production company focussed on the Gulf of Mexico, today announces thatΒ onΒ 18Β July 2008Β the Company's operating subsidiary, Leed Petroleum LLC, consistent with its obligations under the Byron Scouting Agreement, transferred 25% of its interest in its Eugene Island area assets toΒ an operating subsidiary ofΒ Byron EnergyΒ Pty. Ltd.Β ("Byron")Β for US $16.4 million.
A subsidiary of theΒ Company entered into the Scouting Agreement onΒ 8 December 2005. Pursuant to this agreement,Β ByronΒ earnedΒ theΒ option to acquire up to 25% of the Company's interest in theΒ EugeneΒ IslandΒ assets.Β ByronΒ exercised thisΒ option, and the CompanyΒ has nowΒ transferred ownership of 25% of its interest in the leases described below, together with the associated reserves, wells and facilities, to Byron's operating subsidiary. TheΒ purchase consideration was calculatedΒ in accordance with the Scouting AgreementΒ as 25% ofΒ the Company's (i) original capital costsΒ for theΒ EugeneΒ IslandΒ property; (ii) capital expenditures incurred in connection with theΒ property; and (iii) operating costs incurred in connection with theΒ property; lessΒ (iv)Β income received from theΒ property.
After completing the sale withΒ Byron, Leed's ownership in theΒ EugeneΒ IslandΒ leases is as follows:Β
|
ASSET (All areΒ U.S.) |
OPERATOR |
INTEREST1 WI / NRI (%) |
STATUS |
LEASE EXPIRY DATE |
LEASE AREA (km2) |
|
EugeneΒ IslandΒ Block 172 |
McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC |
31.10 / 25.91 |
Production, Development and ExplorationΒ |
Held by Production* |
20.23 |
|
EugeneΒ IslandΒ Block 184 |
Leed Petroleum LLC (south half) and McMoRan Oil & Gas LLC (north half) |
75-37.5 / 57.5-28.75 |
Production, Development and Exploration |
Held by Production* |
20.23 |
|
EugeneΒ IslandΒ Block 183 |
Leed Petroleum LLC |
75 / 62.5 |
Production, Development and Exploration |
Held by Production* |
20.23 |
1Β Interest - Working interests (WI) are shown and are subject to various royalty payments. Net revenue interests (NRI) include any and all royalty payments. Working and/or revenue interests may vary within a given licence area according to area and or depth.Β
* Lease expires 180 days after cessation of production.
The transfer of the 25% interest in theΒ EugeneΒ IslandΒ assets does not have any effect on the Company's reserves, which have historically been reported as if Byron had exercised its option. However, flow rates from the Company's A-6 well haveΒ previouslyΒ been reported on a gross basis.
Howard Wilson, President and Chief Executive of Leed Petroleum PLC, commented:
"Eugene Island has been a great acquisition for the Company.Β Our drilling results to date have created substantial value in Leed and we expect near term future drilling atΒ EugeneΒ IslandΒ to yield more value enhancing results. WeΒ look forward to continuing to work withΒ ByronΒ as a partner to unlock the potential of this field."
21 July 2008
For further information:
|
Leed Petroleum PLC |
|
|
Howard Wilson, President and Chief Executive |
+1 337 314 0700 |
|
James Slatten, Chief Operating Officer |
+1 337 314 0700 |
|
Matrix Corporate Capital LLP |
|
|
Alastair Stratton |
+44 20Β 3206 7204 |
|
Tim Graham |
+44 20Β 3206 7206Β |
|
Pelham Public Relations |
|
|
Alisdair Haythornthwaite |
+44 20 7743 6676 |
|
Evgeniy Chuikov |
+44 20 3008 5506 |
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