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Portfolio Update

29 Sep 2014 10:23

RNS Number : 8452S
Range Resources Limited
29 September 2014
 



ASX Code: RRS

AIM Code: RRL

Range Resources Limited ('Range' or 'the Company')

 

Portfolio Update

 

Colombia

 

In line with the previously stated strategy of portfolio rationalisation and the Company's focus on Trinidad, Range has made a strategic decision to refocus its Colombia portfolio to fully-carried positions on three exploration assets, and will not be proceeding with a farm-in option for the PUT-6 block in the Putumayo basin, given the high cost work commitments associated with the block. This strategic exit follows a previously announced withdrawal from PUT-7 block (see announcement on 9 May 2014).

Instead, the Company will focus on its fully-carried 10% interest in three exploration blocks, PUT-5, VMM-7, and VSM-1, following the finalisation of a Joint Operating Agreement ("JOA") with the blocks' operator, Optima Oil Corp ("Optima"), a private oil and gas company (80% interest) and Petro-Caribbean Resources Ltd (10% interest). These interests were secured as a result of having assisted Optima in successfully bidding for these three licences, by Range being a registered operator in Colombia.

These interests will enable Range to maintain a presence in Colombia for future growth, at minimal cost. The three blocks are found in mature basins of the Putumayo and Magdalena Valley and hydrocarbon accumulations are found in the vicinity of each block.

Optima will bear and pay 100% of all costs and expenses incurred up to production under the JOA. The initial exploration term expires in December 2015 during which time 2D seismic and one exploration well needs to be drilled on each block. The operator is currently working towards fulfilling the Phase 1 work programme commitments.

PUT-6 Performance Bond

In 2012, Range provided US$3.48 million cash to secure the issuance of a performance bond in support of the minimum work commitments for the PUT-6 block. This cash is held by a bank in Colombia as collateral for the bond issued in favour of Colombia's National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). Given that Range will no longer be pursuing an interest in PUT-6 licence, the Company has decided it is appropriate to write-off this cash along with the investment made to date in the block in the upcoming financial accounts.

Whilst it is disappointing to write-off this cash, it should be considered in light of the substantial commitments significantly in excess of this amount which would have been incurred should Range have elected to earn the farm-in option through funding the required work programme for the block.

Puntland Offshore

Given the Company's strategic focus on onshore assets, the Company will not be pursuing any formal agreements relating to potential offshore blocks in Puntland. This doesn't change the Company's strategy in respect of its 20% non-operated onshore interests, which Range intends to continue to hold.

Rory Scott Russell, CEO, commented:

 

"To minimise our cost exposure on all fronts, we have taken pragmatic steps to exit our position in PUT-6 and PUT-7 blocks, where the work programme would have been very expensive for Range, so I am particularly pleased that we will maintain our exposure to Colombia at minimal cost.

 

We are excited to maintain a presence in both the Putumayo and Magdalena Valleys in Colombia with considerable and diverse exploration and appraisal potential. Having a full carry on the three blocks through to production significantly reduces our spending commitments and allows us to benefit from the value created by our local partners.

 

While our efforts remain focused on our unique position in Trinidad, we continue to review our portfolio to ensure a balance of production, development and selective onshore exploration. With that in mind, the Company will not be pursuing further any entry into the Puntland offshore and any associated high cost, high risk exploration work commitments.

 

We remain committed however, to our prospective onshore acreage in Puntland, and continue to work with the operator Horn Petroleum Corporation and the authorities to come to an agreement on the timing and level of future activities in this onshore oil exploration project."

 

 

 

 

Contacts

Range Resources LimitedRory Scott Russell (CEO)

Evgenia Bezruchko (IR)

Cantor Fitzgerald Europe(Nominated Advisor and Broker)

David Porter / Sarah Wharry(Corporate finance)

Richard Redmayne (Corporate broking)

t. +44 (0)20 7894 7000

Buchanan (Financial PR - UK)

Ben Romney / Helen Chan

t. +44 (0)20 7466 5000

e. rangeresources@buchanan.uk.com

 

MAGNUS (Financial PR - Australia)

Rupert Dearden / Richard Glass

 

t. + 61 8 6160 4900

e. rdearden@magnus.net.au

 

Australian Office

945 Wellington Street

West Perth, WA 6005

Australia

 

t. +61 8 9322 7600

f. +61 8 9322 7602

UK Office

Suite 1A, Prince's House38 Jermyn StreetLondon, SW1Y 6DNUnited Kingdom

t. +44 (0)20 7025 7040

f. +44 (0)20 7287 8028

e. admin@rangeresources.co.uk

www.rangeresources.co.uk

 

 

This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
 
END
 
 
PFUKKLBLZKFLBBB
Date   Source Headline
26th Mar 20088:03 amPRNPuntland Update
25th Mar 20085:30 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
25th Mar 20087:00 amPRNASX Trading Halt
17th Mar 20087:00 amPRNHalf-yearly Report
29th Feb 20086:13 amPRNHolding(s) in Company
28th Feb 20087:00 amPRNDrilling Program Update
15th Feb 20087:00 amPRNHolding(s) in Company
4th Feb 200812:36 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
4th Feb 200812:34 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
31st Jan 20088:15 amPRNQuarterly Report
31st Jan 20087:01 amRNSInterim Results
7th Jan 20087:00 amPRNChange in Significant Shareholding
28th Dec 20077:00 amPRNConversion of Partly Paid Shares
21st Dec 20077:00 amPRNIssue of Equity
19th Dec 20077:50 amPRNDirector Shareholding
18th Dec 20077:00 amPRNStatement re Share Price Movement
4th Dec 20078:53 amPRNUpdate on Non-Renounceable Options Issue
22nd Nov 20077:00 amPRNCompany Secretary Change
19th Nov 20077:30 amPRNIssue of Equity
9th Nov 20077:37 amPRNResults of AGM and Company Presentation
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2nd Nov 20077:39 amPRNEntitlement Issue Prospectus
2nd Nov 20077:00 amPRNOperations Update
1st Nov 20079:18 amPRNQuarterly Results
30th Oct 20077:00 amPRNIssue of Equity
23rd Oct 20078:40 amPRNAdmission to AIM
22nd Oct 20073:24 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
19th Sep 20077:01 amRNSAGM Statement
20th Aug 20071:34 pmRNSAIM Notice (Rule 26)
15th Aug 20077:00 amRNSFinal Results
23rd May 20075:02 pmRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
22nd Mar 20072:52 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
14th Mar 200710:12 amRNSHolding(s) in Company
14th Feb 200711:01 amRNSDirector/PDMR Shareholding
31st Jan 20077:01 amRNSInterim Results
15th Dec 20064:19 pmRNSTotal Voting Rights
4th Oct 20065:23 pmRNSShare Options to Directors
24th Aug 20067:00 amRNSChange of Adviser
17th Aug 20067:15 amRNSPreliminary Results
1st Feb 20067:30 amRNSInterim Results
23rd Nov 20054:28 pmRNSHolding(s) in Company
16th Aug 20055:51 pmRNSFinal Results
16th Aug 20054:03 pmRNSFinal Results
5th May 20053:48 pmRNSTrading Statement
28th Jan 20053:45 pmRNSAdditional Listing
27th Jan 200512:24 pmRNSInterim Results

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