MEO step closer to Beehive farm-out (Australia)

MEO Australia Limited has said it has been informed by the international exploration company (the Farminee) that it has received final board approval to proceed with the exercise of its option to farm into MEO’s WA-488-P permit, offshore Australia.

Subject to final farmin documentation and customary regulatory approvals, the exercise of the option provides the Farminee with a 30% participating interest in the permit with further options (if MEO has not secured alternative funding) to increase their participating interest by an additional 10% in return for procuring full funding of a 3D seismic survey over the Beehive prospect and an additional 40% for procuring full funding of the proposed Beehive-1 well.

The WA-488-P permit contains the Beehive prospect, described by MEO as s one of the largest hydrocarbon prospects in Australia.

If these further options are utilised by the Farminee or its nominee, MEO will have a full carry through a Beehive-1 well for its residual 20% participating interest.
Alternatively, in the absence of the exercise of the additional equity options, the Farminee also has the right to withdraw from the permit if MEO has not entered into other arrangements to fund its future work program prior to 4 months before the end of Permit Year 3.

Final farmin documentation is scheduled to be completed within approximately 8 weeks.

MEO’s MD & CEO Peter Stickland, commented on the announcement: “MEO is pleased that the Farminee has received final board approval for its farmin to WA-488-P. The Beehive prospect is one of the largest hydrocarbon prospects in Australia and it is MEO’s strategy to farmdown its interest in order to participate in the drilling of this quality prospect at minimal cost to MEO. MEO continues to engage with a number of other parties who are also evaluating WA-488-P and additional parties can be accommodated in the Permit by the current agreement.”