Awe Goes Shopping Offshore Indonesia

AWE Limited has executed a Sale and Purchase Agreement under which it will acquire a 100% interest and operatorship of two Production Sharing Contracts (“PSCs”) offshore Indonesia, including an undeveloped oil field with an estimated 76 million barrels of recoverable oil.

The consideration for the acquisition of the interest in the PSCs will be US$39 million. Additionally, a wholly owned subsidiary of AWE will assume the loans and receivables in the two companies which are parties to the PSCs for a net amount of approximately US$100 million. The transaction has an Effective Date of 1 January 2012 and completion of the acquisition is anticipated in February 2012.

The company described the acquisition as “a key initiative in AWE’s strategy to grow the Company’s business in Australia, New Zealand and Asia through selective exploration and acquisition”. The purchase will be funded from existing cash reserves and from the  proceeds of the recently announced sale of part of AWE’s interest in the BassGas Project, which is expected to complete in late February 2012. The Company also has an undrawn A$150 million loan facility available to meet any short term funding requirements.

Natuna Sea

The two PSCs, the North West Natuna Production Sharing Contract (“NWN PSC”) and the Anambas PSC are located in the Natuna Sea in 70 metres to 90 metres of water. The NWN PSC contains the undeveloped Ande Ande  Lumut (“AAL”) Oil Field which is estimated to contain 76 million barrels of recoverable heavy oil. Three exploration and appraisal wells have been drilled in the field.

A Plan of Development (“PoD”) for the AAL Oil Field was approved by the Indonesian government in late 2011, with first production targeted for end 2014 at an initial plateau production rate of 25,000 barrels of oil per day. The PoD includes  the installation of a well head platform and a leased floating production, storage and offloading vessel (“FPSO”), together with the drilling of 43 development wells at an estimated total development cost of approximately US$600 million over the period from 2013 to 2015. Significant funding for the project will not be required until 2013 and AWE has considerable flexibility in financing the development. Funding will be available to the Company from operating cash flows from the  existing business and from available loan facilities. In addition, AWE may consider the farmout of part of the project, providing further funding for development costs.

Number of prospects

In addition to the AAL Oil Field, the NWN PSC also contains additional oil exploration potential, with a number of prospects and leads identified within the PSC, some of which are adjacent to the AAL development.

The Anambas PSC contains the Anambas Gas Field, discovered in 2006, together with a number of additional exploration prospects within an offshore area containing significant gas development and pipeline infrastructure.

Following the Final Investment Decision (“FID”) for the AAL Oil Field development, expected at the end of 2012, AWE’s 2P Reserves are expected to be increased by approximately 43 million barrels of oil, representing the net production interest from the field under the terms of the PSC. AWE has estimated existing 2P Reserves at 31 December 2011 of 56 million BOE, after adjustment for the sale of part of the Company’s interest in BassGas.

Commenting on the announcement, AWE’s Managing Director, Bruce Clement said:

“AWE is excited by the opportunity the acquisition of the North West Natuna and Anambas PSCs provides the Company. This is a key investment for AWE and represents a further step in implementing the Company’s business strategy, which is focused on maximising shareholder value from our core assets and delivering growth through selective exploration and acquisition of high quality assets.

Clemend concluded: “AWE is in a strong financial position following the sale of part of its interest in the BassGas Project in late 2011 and has funding in place for the transaction. The Company remains on target to meet its 2011/12 Budget production and revenue targets of 5.0 to 5.5 million BOE and A$270 to A$300 million respectively and this acquisition now provides the catalyst for an exciting period of growth beyond 2012.”

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 23, 2012; Images: Awe