FOGL, the oil and gas exploration company focused on its extensive licence areas to the South and East of the Falkland Islands announces further progress on its rig contract negotiations and certain changes to its licence arrangements.
Rig contract close to finalisation
Further to our announcement on 15 March, the company is close to finalising a rig contract for its deep water exploration programme.
Changes to licence arrangements
On 30 March 2011 FOGL signed a binding Heads of Agreement with our joint venture partner, BHP Billiton that provides for the exit of BHP Billiton from the Northern licence area once certain conditions have been satisfied, including approval of the Falkland Islands Government to both the assignment of BHP Billiton's 51% interest and transfer of operatorship to FOGL.
In relation to this withdrawal BHP Billiton will contribute towards the costs of drilling the Loligo well, by placing funds in an escrow account. The funds are to be drawn by FOGL against the costs of drilling the Loligo well. In the event that the Loligo well encounters hydrocarbons, BHP Billiton will have the option to back in to the Loligo development area only, for a maximum 40% non-operating interest in the discovery, in return for making a cash contribution to FOGL's future exploration and appraisal costs. Such a reassignment of interests will also be subject to approval by the Falkland Islands Government.
The settlement with BHP Billiton will, together with other funds available to FOGL, provide FOGL with total cash resources of US$110 million. These cash resources will be sufficient to fund the Loligo well, other exploration expenditures and allow the Company to fulfil the Phase 1 work commitment of the Northern licence area.
Operations
FOGL is also considering additional drilling options. The site survey programme is progressing well, with surveys already completed on three locations. FOGL is considering the most appropriate means of financing and advancing these options and is in discussion with several parties that are interested in farming in to our licences.
Tim Bushell, Chief Executive of FOGL, said:
We are pleased to have made good progress in our rig contract negotiations and to have reached an amicable agreement with our joint venture partner that gives FOGL control over its deepwater exploration programme, commencing with the drilling of the Loligo prospect.
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesIn short..................
Mar 31st, 2011 - 04:02 pm 0BHP Billiton is totally out of the Malvinas
Good news.
Actually Think, you are wrong about one thing and right about another.
Mar 31st, 2011 - 04:49 pm 01) Right, it is good news. Good news for FOGL as they have gained operator status and get greater upside if there is an oil find. What was the increase in FOGL SP today? Would you like to comment like you have been doing with RKH?
2) Wrong, BHP are not out of the FI. By funding 51% of the planned Loligo drill the have bought a 40% option (a derivative that they will profit from by exercising that option in the event of an oil find)
Hope you are still learning.
BHP have been holding FOGL back but now the brakes are off.
Exciting times ahead!
Ohhhh yes……… I’m learning every day…………….
Mar 31st, 2011 - 05:25 pm 0Can’t remember ever having such an subjective, predisposed and biased teacher before……
Forces one to Think twice as hard………
I was waiting till tomorrow to comment on today’s FOGL’s share price rise….
I expect it to drop back after the initial exhilaration of all those frantic and distressed sentiment driven private investors has settled.
Brakes off indeed…. Maybe even broken .... Steep downhill road ahead.
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