TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands. Orca Exploration Group Inc (“Orca Exploration” or the “Company”) announces commencement of the drilling in Tanzania of a new gas production well (“SS-11”) on Songo Songo Island. The well is part of a previously announced US$130 million expansion programme to double Orca’s production from the Songo Songo field. The programme also includes provision for the drilling of an offshore exploration well at a cost of US$35 million on the Songo Songo West prospect.
Orca, which currently supplies gas primarily for power generation to the Tanzania Electric Supply Company (TANESCO), Songas, and 38 industrial customers in the Dar es Salaam area, intends to increase its gas production capacity from 113 million standard cubic feet per day to over 200 million standard cubic feet per day in the coming months. Orca has committed to the current expansion program to ensure that the Company is playing its part in meeting Tanzania’s urgent need for increased power generation and energy security.
The SS-11 well is being drilled by the Sakson Rig PR5 which was mobilized to Songo Songo Island in late 2011. The Sakson rig is a powerful, high-specification land rig that has been contracted as part of the ongoing development of the Songo Songo gas field. The rig will drill to a depth of approximately 2,400 metres with drilling continuing for approximately ten weeks. SS-11 will be the seventh well in the Songo Songo field, which extends both onshore under Songo Songo Island and offshore to the west of the island in the Kilwa District, 185 km south of Dar es Salaam.
The use of natural gas from the Orca-operated Songo Songo field has made a significant contribution to Tanzania’s economy and is estimated to have saved Tanzania over US$2 billion in other fuel costs since commercial operations began in 2004.
Orca’s Tanzania operations are managed by wholly owned subsidiary PanAfrican Energy Tanzania (“PanAfrican”) headquartered in Dar es Salaam. PanAfrican has for the past 10 years been the lead private sector investor in Tanzania’s gas industry, producing up to 102 million standard cubic feet of gas per day. Over 85% of this gas is used for power generation in Tanzania.
Orca Exploration is an international public company engaged in natural gas exploration, development and supply in Tanzania and oil and gas appraisal in Italy. Orca Exploration trades on the TSXV under the trading symbols ORC.B and ORC.A.
For further information please contact:
W. David Lyons, Chairman and CEO
+44-7717-100200
wdlyons@orcaenergygroup.com
Nigel A Friend, CFO
+44-7798-502316
Dale Rollins, COO
+44-7713-358467
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as
that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward Looking Statements
This document contains forward-looking statements. More
particularly, this document contains statements concerning expected
increases to Orca’s additional gas sales and effect on cash flow and
timing of commencement of operations of new 105 MW plant in Dar es
Salaam. These forward-looking statements involve substantial known and
unknown risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond Orca
Exploration’s control, including, but not limited to, the impact of
general economic conditions in the areas in which Orca Exploration
operates, civil unrest, industry conditions, changes in laws and
regulations including the adoption of new environmental laws and
regulations and changes in how they are interpreted and enforced,
increased competition, the lack of availability of qualified personnel
or management, fluctuations in commodity prices, foreign exchange or
interest rates, stock market volatility, competition for, among other
things, capital, drilling equipment and skilled personnel, and
obtaining required approvals of regulatory authorities. In addition
there are risks and uncertainties associated with oil and gas
operations, therefore Orca Exploration’s actual results, performance or
achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied
by, these forward-looking estimates and, accordingly, no assurances can
be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking
estimates will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what
benefits, including the amounts of proceeds, that Orca Exploration will
derive therefrom. Such forward-looking are based on certain made by Orca
in light of its experience and perception of historical trends, current
conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors
Orca believes are appropriate in the circumstances, including, but are
not limited to, the ability of Orca to add production at a consistent
rate; commodity prices will not deteriorate significantly; the ability
of Orca to obtain equipment in a timely manner to carry out exploration,
development and exploitation activities; and future capital
expenditures. The forward-looking statements contained in this press
release are made as of the date hereof and Orca undertakes no obligation
to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or
information, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.