VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA — (Marketwire) — 07/28/11 — LNG Energy Ltd. (TSX VENTURE: LNG) (“LNG”) is pleased to announce that its third vertical well, the Starogard S-1 well on the Starogard concession in Poland, was spudded on July 16, 2011. LNG has an indirect 20% interest in the well which is currently drilling at a depth of about 1,700 meters and has installed 690 meters of steel casing and cementing it from the bottom to the surface. This depth is below the potential fresh water intervals and was installed to isolate and protect the aquifers. A second string of steel casing will be installed and cemented at an approximate depth of 2,050 meters, prior to drilling ahead to the estimated core point. At the core point, the plan is to core the balance of the well for further analysis of the formations.
LNG has also received an initial portion of the core analysis back from the 3rd party contractors for both the Wytowno S-1 and Lebork S-1 wells, on the adjacent Slawno and Slupsk concessions. The data for the Lebork S-1 well is only from the sidewalls taken in the lower portion of the Ordovician and the Alum shale, as the whole core analysis from above these intervals is not yet completed. The additional core analysis data for the target intervals in the Lebork S-1 well, and the final core analysis reports for both wells are expected to be in by the end of August at which time the log analyses for both wells will be reprocessed with the core data.
Incorporating the micro-paleo and high-resolution stratigraphic analysis into the geological model indicates that the Wytowno S-1 well was drilled on a localized paleo-topographic high. What was originally interpreted as Ordovician/Cambrian shales are actually Lower Silurian hot shale intervals. The intervals in the Lebork S-1 well have also been revised on the basis of the micro-paleo and high-resolution stratigraphic analysis, resulting in slightly different thicknesses of the various intervals. In addition to the seismic program, a depth to crystalline basement study will be conducted. The study will cover a large portion of northeast Poland, fully encompassing all three concessions. The interpretation of this study will provide better understanding of general basin geometry, identify sub basins and locate significant basement related faulting. The study is slated for completion in September 2011.
Completion activity for the Lebork S-1 and Wytowno S-1 wells are scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter. The possibility of undertaking the completion of the Starogard S-1 well in conjunction with our two other wells is also under review, with well results and equipment availability to determine the timing. Best North American industry practices are being utilized for drilling and testing the wells, including utilizing bladders to hold the fresh water for fracture stimulating the well, the arrival of these are determining the start of the completion activity. The bladders ensure complete isolation from surface soil and water, reduce truck traffic to and from the site and increase safety. The flowback fluids are flowed directly into self-contained steel tanks on location.
Recently approval has been received from the Polish authorities to acquire approximately 407 km of 2D seismic on the concessions. The seismic program will further define basin structure and burial history as well as aid in individual well location selection. The term of the three Saponis concessions were also extended to provide Saponis enough time to acquire the seismic prior to drilling the second well on each concession. It is anticipated that the acquisition of this seismic will commence in the fourth quarter of this year.
“We are very encouraged by the initial results from the sidewall core tests on the Wytowno well,” commented Dave Afseth, President and CEO of LNG. “The results of the core analyses as well as the analyses of the sidewall cores will enable us to design and implement an appropriate stimulation to flow test the wells later this year.”
LNG is a Canadian exploration and development company focused on developing oil and gas reserves in Papua New Guinea, Poland and the US. LNG holds a 100% interest in approximately 5.5 million acres of prospective oil and gas properties in Papua New Guinea. LNG also holds a 50% net interest in approximately 360,000 gross acres of prospective shales in Poland together with Realm Energy (BVI). LNG also has a 20% net interest in approximately 734,000 gross acres of prospective shales in Poland together with BNK Petroleum Inc., Sorgenia E&P S.p.A., and Rohol-Aufsuchungs Aktiengesellschaft. LNG shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “LNG”.
LNG ENERGY LTD.
Dave Afseth, President & CEO
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute “forward-looking information” as such term is used in applicable Canadian securities laws, including information LNG–s current plans and expectations regarding the Wytowno S-1, Lebork S-1 and Starogard S-1 wells, and expected timing of commencement of the planned frac programs. Forward-looking information is based on plans and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and certain factors and assumptions of management. Forward looking information is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause plans, estimates and actual results to vary materially from those projected in such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause the forward-looking information in this news release to change or to be inaccurate include, but are not limited to, the risks related to unsatisfactory results of due diligence, international operations and doing business in foreign jurisdictions, risks associated with the oil and gas industry and exploratory and development activities generally (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures, risks associated with equipment procurement and equipment failure), the risk of commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, risks related to future royalty rate changes, and risks and uncertainties associated with securing and maintaining necessary regulatory approvals, and counterparty risk related to the stability and viability of the Company–s joint venture participants.
Shares Outstanding: 258,059,365
Neither 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:
LNG Energy Ltd.
Investor Relations
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