BAAR, SWITZERLAND — (Marketwire) — 07/14/11 — Manas Petroleum Corp. (“Manas”) (TSX-V: MNP) (OTCBB: MNAP) is pleased to announce the commencement of the second seismic survey on the two Mongolian blocks — Zuunbayan-XIV Block and Tsagaan Els-XIII Block — owned by Gobi Energy Partners GmbH (“GEP GmbH”). This year–s seismic survey includes up to 1,700 km of 2D seismic. It covers 10 prospective areas over both blocks, which were identified by our integrated interpretation. The program is laid out in 8 phases without any interruption between the phases; however, some phases show interdependencies. Preparation and mobilization has commenced and the acquisition is expected to begin in mid-August. The seismic work will be conducted with vibrators.
Through its wholly-owned subsidiary, DWM Petroleum AG, Manas owns record title to 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of GEP GmbH, though 26% is held in trust for others. GEP GmbH owns 100% of Gobi Energy Partners LLC (“Gobi”), the Mongolian operator of the oil and gas projects on the two blocks. Gobi signed the agreement for Seismic Services with Sinopec Mongolia LLC (“Sinopec”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), on July 12, 2011. Sinopec has extensive seismic experience in this area. Sinopec offers all services from seismic to drilling and drilling related services. Sinopec will use Sercel equipment for the survey. The total cost of the program, including mobilization and demobilization, is projected to be US$4.2 million. Nine companies participated in the tender.
This seismic survey is being carried out in an effort to improve the quality of existing data and increase the chances of success of exploratory wells the company intends to drill upon completion and interpretation of the new data. The first well is anticipated to be spudded in the second quarter of 2012.
Manas Petroleum is an international oil and gas company with primary focus on exploration and development in South-Eastern Europe, Central Asia and Mongolia. In Albania, Manas participates in a 1.7 million acre exploration project through its equity interest in Petromanas Energy Inc., a Canadian public company. In Kyrgyz Republic, Manas has signed a US$54 million farm-out agreement with Santos International, a subsidiary of one of Australia–s largest oil and gas companies. In addition to the development of its Kyrgyz Republic project, Santos is developing the company–s neighboring Tajikistan license under an option farm out agreement. In Mongolia, Manas owns record title to the two Production Sharing Contracts covering Blocks XIII and XIV through its wholly-owned subsidiary Gobi Energy Partners GmbH, but 26% of the beneficial ownership interest in these blocks is held in trust for others.
Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer
This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are projections of events, revenues, income, future economic performance or management–s plans and objectives for future operations. In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “may,” “should,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “forecasts,” “plans,” “future,” “strategy,” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements about Manas– plans to include up to 1,700 km of 2D seismic in eight uninterrupted phases, that acquisition is expected to begin in mid-August, that the cost will be as projected, that the results will improve the quality of existing data and increase the chances of success of planned exploratory wells and that the first such well will be spudded in the second quarter of 2012. While these forward-looking statements and any assumptions upon which they are based are made in good faith and reflect current judgment regarding the direction of Manas– business, actual results will almost always vary, sometimes materially, from any estimates, predictions, projections, assumptions or other future performance suggested in this press release. These statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including the risks presented by the market price and volume of trading in shares of Petromanas Energy Inc., field conditions and the risks described in Manas periodic disclosure documents filed on SEDAR and EDGAR, copies of which are also available on the company–s website at . Any of these risks could cause Manas– or its industry–s actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States and Canada, Manas does not intend to update any of the forward-looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.
For further information please contact:
Roger Jenny
Corporate Secretary
Manas Petroleum Corp.
Bahnofstr. 9, P.O. Box 155
CH-6341 Baar, Switzerland
Phone: +41 44 718 1030
Fax: +41 44 718 1039
Email:
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