VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 01/14/13 — Africa Oil Corp. (“Africa Oil” or the “Company”) (TSX VENTURE: AOI) (OMX: AOI) is pleased to announce the commencement of drilling operations on the Sabisa-1 well in the South Omo Block in Ethiopia. The well was spud on January 13, 2013 by the Operator, Tullow Oil Plc (“Tullow”) and is currently drilling ahead. The well is expected to take approximately 60 days to reach the planned total depth of 2,600 meters. Africa Oil holds a 30% working interest in the block with Tullow holding a 50% interest and Agriterra Limited (“Agriterra”) holding the remaining 20% interest. Marathon Oil Ethiopia B.V. (“Marathon”) has announced a transaction to purchase Agriterra–s interest in the South Omo Block. This transaction is subject to Ethiopian Government approval.
The South Omo Block is located in the northern portion of the Tertiary East African Rift trend where Africa Oil and their partner, Tullow, have made two significant discoveries in the Lokichar Basin of Kenya. The Sabisa well is located on a similar structural feature as those two discoveries, along a major basinal fault trend. The basin that this well is located in is slightly younger in age than the Lokichar Basin. One of the primary goals of this well is to prove that the petroleum system extends to the north which could open up a new sub-basin if successful. There are numerous prospects and leads on trend with Sabisa. Partners are currently acquiring 1,000 km of 2D seismic data in the Chew Bahir Basin, located in the eastern portion of the block. Prospects identified from this newly acquired survey could provide future drilling candidates that would test another sub-basin within the Tertiary rift trend.
Africa Oil President Keith Hill commented, “This is an exciting well which has the potential to de-risk a large portion of our current portfolio of prospects. With the aggressive exploration campaign planned with our partners Tullow and Marathon in 2013, we will have the opportunity to dramatically change the profile of the Company in the upcoming year. With our recent financing completed, we are well situated to execute one of the most exciting exploration campaigns in the world class East African play fairway.”
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements made and information contained herein constitute “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward looking statements”) relate to future events or the Company–s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to estimates of reserves and or resources, future production levels, future capital expenditures and their allocation to exploration and development activities, future drilling and other exploration and development activities, ultimate recovery of reserves or resources and dates by which certain areas will be explored, developed or reach expected operating capacity, that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect, “may”, “will”, “project”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward- looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things, changes in oil prices, results of exploration and development activities, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals, actual performance of facilities, availability of financing on reasonable terms, availability of third party service providers, equipment and processes relative to specifications and expectations and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
About Africa Oil
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya, Ethiopia and Mali as well as Puntland (Somalia) through its approximate 45% equity interest in Horn Petroleum Corporation. Africa Oil–s East African holdings are in within a world-class exploration play fairway with a total gross land package in this prolific region in excess of 250,000 square kilometers. The East African Rift Basin system is one of the last of the great rift basins to be explored. New discoveries have been announced on all sides of Africa Oil–s virtually unexplored land position including the major Albert Graben oil discovery in neighboring Uganda. Africa Oil–s recent Ngamia-1 discovery extends the Albert Graben play into Kenya where Africa Oil along with partner Tullow Oil plc hold a dominant acreage position. Newly acquired seismic and gravity data show robust leads and prospects throughout Africa Oil–s project areas. The Company is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and on First North at NASDAQ OMX-Stockholm under the symbol “AOI”.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Keith C. Hill, President and CEO
Africa Oil–s Certified Advisor on NASDAQ OMX First North is Pareto Ohman AB.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Africa Oil Corp.
Sophia Shane
Corporate Development
(604) 689-7842