VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 03/01/13 — Africa Oil Corp. (TSX VENTURE: AOI)(OMX: AOI) (“Africa Oil” or “the Company”) announces the temporary suspension of the Paipai-1 exploration well in Kenya for ongoing evaluation.
The well, located in the Marsabit County of Kenya Block 10A, was drilled to a total depth of 4,255 metres and successfully logged. The well was drilled to evaluate a large structural closure of Cretaceous age in the Anza Basin.
Light hydrocarbon shows were encountered while drilling a 55 metre thick gross sandstone interval. This sandstone is overlain by a 200 metre thick Cretaceous source rock which forms an effective regional top seal and yielded oil and gas shows throughout the section while drilling. Attempts to sample reservoir fluids were unsuccessful and the hydrocarbons encountered while drilling were not recovered to surface. It was not possible to test the well at this time due to the unavailability in country of testing equipment capable of handling the higher reservoir pressures encountered at this depth. The well has consequently been temporarily suspended pending further data evaluation.
After suspension operations have been concluded at Paipai, the rig will move to the South Lokichar Basin in Block 10BB and drill the Etuko prospect in the undrilled basin flank play. The move is expected to take 3 months.
Tullow has a 50% operated interest in the Paipai-1 well, Block 10A, with Africa Oil holding 30% and Afren holding the remaining 20%.
Keith Hill, President and CEO, commented, “We are very encouraged by the results of the Paipai well which appears to demonstrate a working petroleum system and indicates that the Anza Basin has the makings of a viable Cretaceous hydrocarbon play. This result has positive implications not only for our Block 10A acreage, but also in Block 9 where we are preparing to drill a similar, albeit shallower, prospect with our partner Marathon. If this result is confirmed by testing, it would be a strong addition to our already proven Tertiary rift play to the west.”
About Africa Oil
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with assets in Kenya and Ethiopia 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”.
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.
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