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Tuesday, December 22, 2015
African Petroleum entered into a new PSC with Ophir Energy plc covering its CI-513 license area in Côte d’Ivoire. The new PSC incorporates adjustments to fiscal terms and holding costs agreed with the government of Côte d’Ivoire that reflect the current commodity price environment and outlook for development of the deepwater prospects identified through interpretation of African Petroleum 3D seismic.
The agreement has resulted in an extension to the previous minimum work commitments on the block and now requires that an exploration well be drilled within 2 years of the signing of this new PSC. In June African Petroleum announced that it had signed a binding joint bidding agreement (JBA) with a “London listed oil and gas company” to provide a framework for the incoming party to secure a 45% operated interest in a PSC covering its CI-513 license area in Côte d’Ivoire, Ophir was that company.
Since June the company and Ophir Energy have been working with the government of Côte d’Ivoire to agree the revised terms of the new PSC. In accordance with the terms of the JBA, Ophir Energy will make a contribution of $16.9 million towards African Petroleum’s historical investment in 3D seismic and the transaction costs. In addition, Ophir Energy will contribute an additional 10% (over and above their participating interest share) towards the drilling of the first exploration well to be drilled on the block.
The new PSC has been signed by African Petroleum, Ophir Energy, Petroci, and two out of three of the relevant government ministries. The company expects the final ministry signature to be imminent
Commenting on the news, Jens Pace, CEO of African Petroleum said: “We are pleased to have signed this new PSC with Ophir Energy who bring a wealth of experience and technical expertise to Block CI-513 in Côte d’Ivoire. We look forward to working with Ophir Energy and Petroci to jointly explore the potential of this exciting block. Successful completion of this transaction has been the key priority for the management team and we believe this transaction endorses our acreage and importantly our strategy by highlighting that there remains an industry appetite for world class exploration of this type despite the prevailing industry headwinds. We now shift our focus to completion of further deals on our acreage in Senegal and the Gambia.”
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