Vaalco gets 10-year extension for Etame Marin permit

Houston-based oil company Vaalco Energy has been awarded a ten-year extension for the Etame Marin exclusive exploitation areas through 2028 from the government of Gabon. 

FPSO Petroleo Nautipa operating for Vaalco offshore Gabon; Source: BW Offshore

Vaalco said on Tuesday that the company, together with other Etame participating interest owners, received the Presidential Decree approving the successful execution of an amendment to the Etame Marin Production Sharing Contract (PSC) in Gabon between the Government of Gabon and the Etame participating interest owners.

The amendment provides for a ten-year extension of the three exclusive exploitation areas under the PSC, with two additional five-year option periods.

Vaalco is the operator with a 33.575% participating interest under the terms of the applicable joint operating agreement. The remaining owners of participating interests under the joint operating agreement are Addax Petroleum Etame (33.900%), Sasol Gabon (30.000%), and PetroEnergy Resources (2.525%).

The amendment also provides the opportunity to make future investments that will yield benefit to both the interest owners and the government of Gabon through further development of the resource potential within the exploitation areas.

New drilling program

Furthermore, the deal commits the owners to complete, within two years of the amendment coming into force, a drilling program to drill two development wells and two appraisal wells, as well as undertake technical studies.

In addition, Vaalco has agreed individually to provide an increased commitment to corporate social responsibility projects in Gabon.

Cary Bounds, Chief Executive Officer, commented, “Vaalco, together with the other Contractor Parties, are very excited to announce this extension of our Exclusive Exploitation Authorizations in the Etame Marin Permit. The extension will further strengthen our strategic partnership with the Government of Gabon and ensures the long-term viability of our premier Etame asset, which has produced more than 100 million barrels of oil since inception.

“This extension stabilizes Vaalco’s outlook for the future, removes uncertainty, and allows us to focus on generating further value and extracting additional reserves from the Etame block. We are now ready to move forward with our 2019 development and appraisal drilling program. We will provide additional details once the locations and timing are finalized. As we look to the future, we remain focused on creating substantial value for our shareholders by operating safely and efficiently, and continuing to execute on our growth strategy. The remaining opportunities in Etame are significant and we are well positioned to strengthen our financial and operational positions.”

Representatives of Sasol Gabon, Addax and PetroEnergy have also executed the amendment. They have also agreed to their respective Participating Interest share of the work commitment and other obligations, including the drilling commitments, under the terms of the extension.