Yemie Adeoye
6 January 2009
OANDO Exploration and Production Limited (OEPL), the upstream arm of Oando PLC, has announced the acquisition of 75% interest in Exiles Resources' 40% working interest in the Akepo Field through the signing of a Financial and Technical Services Agreement on 23 October, 2008.
Under the terms of the Agreement that is structured in two stages, Oando will re-imburse Exile's past expenses on the Akepo Field, and finance the development of the project, in return for taking 75% of Exile's current economic interest in the project. This will see Oando own 30% Equity stake in the entire project, subject to the approval of the relevant Authorities, and Sogenal Limited, the Operator.
Chief Executive Officer, OEPL, Tunde Ogun naike,commented, "We are excited about this acquisition as it is in line with our plans to boost our portfolio with near term oil and gas assets. As the technical and management partners, we will be conducting immediately, additional technical studies to facilitate the drilling of more wells to fast track the development of this block".
Tony Henshaw, President and Chief Executive Officer of Exile Resources, commented "I am very pleased that Oando has joined Sogenal and Exile in the Akepo Project. In the current uncertain financial climate, Oando's financial strength and capability, and experience in the Nigerian sector will enable the Project to move forward to First Oil Production in the earliest timeframe, and Exile looks forward to working with Oando and Sogenal in the future on other projects in Nigeria".
The Akepo Field is located within OML 90 situated offshore in the South Eastern part of Nigeria. Originally a Joint Venture agreement between NNPC and Chevron, the Marginal field was awarded to Sonegal during the 2003 Marginal Oil Fields Allocation Rounds in 2003 by the Department of Petroleum Resources.
OEPL is a subsidiary of Oando PLC, Nigerian foremost integrated energy solutions provider. OEPL is currently the operator of two oil blocks - OPL 278 and OPL 236. The company is also a Local Content Vehicle (LCV) partner with AGIP on OPL 282 and has a 45% non-operating participatory interest in a marginal field, Obodeti-Obodugwa (former OML 56).
According to the company spokesman, Meka Olowola, the fields are in different stages of development and will significantly increase Nigeria 's oil and gas reserves. He stated further that by this acquisition, the company has been able to prove once more that it is very serious with its upstream diversification program, and as such would continue to make bold statements, such as was made by the organization in the downstream sub-sector.
"Exile Resources Inc. is a Toronto - based oil and gas exploration company advancing the development of Akepo oilfield in the shallow waters of the Niger Delta. The Company is also pursuing additional oil and gas, exploration and development opportunities in Africa" he said.
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