SIGNATURE
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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GeoPark Limited
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By:
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/s/ Andrés
Ocampo
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Name:
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Andrés Ocampo
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Title:
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Chief FinancialOfficer
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Date:
April 10, 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE DISTRIBUTION
GEOPARK ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER 2017 OPERATIONAL
UPDATE
DELIVERING ON PRODUCTION GROWTH
Santiago, Chile – April 10, 2017 -
GeoPark Limited (“GeoPark” or the “Company”) (NYSE: GPRK), a leading independent Latin American oil and
gas explorer, operator and consolidator with operations and growth platforms in Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru, today
announced its operational update for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 (“1Q2017”).
(All figures are expressed in US Dollars
and growth comparisons refer to the same period of the prior year, except when specified).
Quarterly Highlights
Oil and Gas Production Up
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Consolidated oil and gas production up 12% to 25,180 boepd (up 6% compared to 4Q2016)
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Oil production up 25% to 20,487 bopd
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Gas production down 24% to 28.2 mmcfpd
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1Q2017 exit production of approximately 26,100 boepd
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2017 exit production target of 30,000+ boepd
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Exploration, Appraisal and Development
Well Drilling Success
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In
Colombia in the Llanos 34 Block (GeoPark operated with 45% WI):
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Discovery of new Chiricoca oil field with Chiricoca 1 exploration well currently producing 950
bopd gross
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Further appraisal and development of the Jacana oil field with:
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Appraisal well Jacana 11 extending south-west limits of field and currently producing 2,200 bopd
gross
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Appraisal well Jacana Sur 2 and development wells Jacana 7 and Jacana 8 were drilled and are waiting
for completion/testing expected during April/May
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Further development of Tigana oil field with:
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Tigana Sur 6 development well found thicker Guadalupe pay and is currently producing 1,700 bopd
gross
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Long Term Gas Marketing Agreement
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Advanced
negotiations with Methanex to extend gas supply agreement in Chile to December 2026
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Deleveraging Balance Sheet
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Repayment
of $10 million on Itau term loan with $40 million in principal remaining
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Upcoming 2Q2017 Operational Catalysts
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Four
drilling rigs operational (2 in Colombia, 1 in Argentina, and 1 in Chile) targeting drilling 10 wells, including:
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Colombia: Explore four new prospects including third major fault trend adjacent and parallel to
existing Llanos 34 producing trends
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Argentina: Explore new prospect in Neuquen Basin CN-V Block (GeoPark operated with 50% WI)
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Chile: Explore new shallow gas play prospect in Fell Block (GeoPark operated with 100% WI)
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Breakdown of Quarterly Production by Country
The following table shows production figures for 1Q2017, as compared
with 1Q2016:
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1Q2017
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1Q2016
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Total (boepd)
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Oil
(bopd)
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Gas
(mcfpd)
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Total (boepd)
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% Chg.
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Colombia
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19,330
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19,267
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378
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14,871
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30%
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Chile
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3,351
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1,182
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13,008
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4,061
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-18%
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Brazil
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2,499
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38
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14,766
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3,586
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-30%
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Total
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25,180
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20,487
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28,152
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22,518
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12%
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a)
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Includes royalties paid in kind in Colombia
for 608 bopd approximately in 1Q2017. No royalties were paid in kind in Chile and Brazil operations.
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Quarterly Production Evolution
(boepd)
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1Q2016
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2Q2016
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3Q2016
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4Q2016
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1Q2017
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Colombia
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14,871
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14,084
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15,678
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17,535
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19,330
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Chile
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4,061
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4,118
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3,756
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3,523
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3,351
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Brazil
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3,586
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2,941
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2,636
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2,535
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2,499
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Total
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22,518
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21,143
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22,070
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23,593
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25,180
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Oil
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16,347
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15,530
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16,942
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18,798
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20,487
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Gas
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6,171
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5,613
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5,128
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4,795
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4,693
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Oil and Gas Production Update
Consolidated:
Higher production in Colombia pushed up
average consolidated oil and gas production to 25,180 boepd in 1Q2017 from 22,518 boepd in 1Q2016. The increase was mainly attributed
to new production from the Jacana and Tigana oil fields - with three new wells drilled and put into production during 1Q2017. On
a consolidated basis, it was offset by lower production in Chile due to the natural decline of the fields and Brazil which is still
being impacted by limited gas consumption in northeast Brazil. Brazilian Finance Minister Meirelles recently pointed to the beginning
of an economic recovery in Brazil, which could potentially lead to higher gas demand later this year.
Oil increased in the production mix to 81%
of the total reported production in 1Q2017 (vs. 80% in 4Q2016 and 73% in 1Q2016) – resulting from the successful drilling
campaign in Llanos 34 Block.
Colombia:
Average net production in Colombia increased
by 30% to 19,330 boepd in 1Q2017 compared to 14,871 boepd in 1Q2016, primarily attributed to the Jacana and Tigana oil fields in
Llanos 34 Block. The Llanos 34 Block represented 95% of GeoPark’s Colombian production in 1Q2017.
The 1Q2017 drilling campaign in the Llanos
34 Block continued to provide positive results, as follows:
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Chiricoca 1 exploration well was successfully
completed and put on production in 1Q2017. The well is currently producing approximately 950 bopd gross, with less than 1% water
cut
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Tigana Sur 6 development well was drilled,
completed and showed a net pay of approximately 57 feet, which represents a significant thickening (~60%) of the average net pay
of the lower Guadalupe formation compared to other producing wells in the Tigana oil field. The well is currently producing approximately
1,700 bopd gross
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Jacana
11 appraisal well was drilled approximately 2,500 meters south-west of Jacana 6, extending the Tigana/Jacana oil play towards
the southern limits of the Llanos. The well is currently producing approximately 2,200 bopd with a 1% water cut
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Jacana 7 and Jacana 8 development wells
and Jacana Sur 2 appraisal well were drilled with testing expected during April/May
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During 2Q2017, the campaign will be focused
on testing four exploration prospects, two located in the west and two in the east fault trend parallel to the Tigana/Jacana fault
trend in Llanos 34 Block. In addition, it will include two wells to continue developing the Jacana oil field. For a summary of
the drilling activities in the next quarter, please refer to the table Expected Drilling Schedule for 2Q2017, included below.
Chile:
Average net oil and gas production in Chile
decreased by 18% to 3,351 boepd in 1Q2017 compared to 4,061 boepd in 1Q2016 due to the natural decline of the fields with limited
drilling activity since 2014. There was no drilling activity in Chile during 1Q2017. The production mix during 1Q2017 was 65% gas
and 35% oil, unchanged from 1Q2016. The Fell Block (GeoPark operated with a 100% WI) represented 98% of GeoPark’s Chilean
production.
GeoPark
is
in advanced negotiations with Methanex to extend the gas supply agreement in Chile to December 2026. In addition, the Company is
currently negotiating a new agreement with ENAP which will allow sales to be interrupted if pricing conditions in the export market
are more competitive. As a result of these negotiations, 1Q2017 oil production has been kept in storage and is expected to be sold
during 2Q2017, with no significant impact on 1Q2017 results. Chilean oil production represented 6% of The Company´s consolidated
net oil production during this period.
During 2Q2017, GeoPark will be targeting
three different gas opportunities through the drilling of one exploration and two development wells in the Fell Block. Please refer
to the table Expected Drilling Schedule for 2Q2017, included below.
Brazil:
Average net oil and gas production in Brazil
decreased 30% to 2,499 boepd in 1Q2017 compared to 3,586 boepd in 1Q2016, primarily attributed to lower gas consumption by Brazilian
industrial users.
Manati Field production capacity remained
unaffected and net production could increase to approximately 3,500 boepd average levels in the event gas consumption increases.
The Manati Field contractual take-or-pay provisions restrict volumes going below current levels. The Manati Field (GeoPark non-operated
with a 10% WI) represented 100% of GeoPark’s Brazilian production.
Praia do Espelho exploration prospect in
Reconcavo Basin was drilled to a total depth of 2,333 meters. Main targets, Sergi and Agua Grande formations, were found water
bearing with reservoir thicknesses of 36 ft and 46 ft, respectively. In addition, 47 ft of reservoir with oil traces were encountered
in a secondary target, in the Gomo formation. As of the date of this release, and following an in-depth G&G analysis, a decision
was made to plug and abandon the well. Drilling costs amounted to $2.3 million.
Argentina:
Exploration drilling of Rio Grande Oeste
1 well in CN-V Block (GeoPark operated with a 50% WI), in the Neuquén Basin, is expected to start in late April, in partnership
with Wintershall (subsidiary of BASF).
Expected Drilling Schedule for 2Q2017
The following is a summary of the expected
drilling activities scheduled for 2Q2017 with estimated total net capital expenditures of $35-40 million (drilling and completion
costs of $25-28 million plus facilities of $10-12 million). All wells are operated by GeoPark.
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Prospect/Well
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Country
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Block
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Working Interest
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Type
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1
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Sinsonte 1
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Exploration
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2
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Guaco 1
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Exploration
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3
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Jacamar 1
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Exploration
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4
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Currucucu 1
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Exploration
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5
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Jacana 9
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Development
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6
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Jacana Sur 1
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Colombia
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Llanos 34
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45%
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Development
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7
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Kimiri Aike 4
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Chile
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Fell
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100%
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Development
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8
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Uaken 1
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Chile
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Fell
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100%
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Exploration
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9
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Ache 3
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Chile
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Fell
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100%
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Development
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10
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Rio Grande Oeste 1
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Argentina
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CN-V
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50%
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Exploration
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a)
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Information included in the table above is
subject to change and may also be subject to partner or regulatory approval
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For further
information, please contact:
INVESTORS:
Stacy Steimel – Shareholder Value Director
Santiago, Chile
T: +562 2242 9600
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ssteimel@geo-park.com
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Dolores Santamarina – Investor Manager
Buenos Aires, Argentina
T: +5411 4312 9400
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dsantamarina@geo-park.com
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MEDIA:
Jared Levy – Sard Verbinnen & Co
New York, USA
T: +1 (212) 687-8080
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jlevy@sardverb.com
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Kelsey Markovich – Sard Verbinnen & Co
New York, USA
T: +1 (212) 687-8080
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kmarkovich@sardverb.com
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NOTICE
Additional information about GeoPark can
be found in the “Investor Support” section on the website at www.geo-park.com.
Rounding amounts and percentages: Certain
amounts and percentages included in this press release have been rounded for ease of presentation. Percentage figures included
in this press release have not in all cases been calculated on the basis of such rounded figures, but on the basis of such amounts
prior to rounding. For this reason, certain percentage amounts in this press release may vary from those obtained by performing
the same calculations using the figures in the financial statements. In addition, certain other amounts that appear in this press
release may not sum due to rounding.
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This press release contains statements that
constitute forward-looking statements. Many of the forward looking statements contained in this press release can be identified
by the use of forward-looking words such as ‘‘anticipate,’’ ‘‘believe,’’ ‘‘could,’’
‘‘expect,’’ ‘‘should,’’ ‘‘plan,’’ ‘‘intend,’’
‘‘will,’’ ‘‘estimate’’ and ‘‘potential,’’ among others.
Forward-looking statements that appear in
a number of places in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations,
regarding various matters, including expected 2017 production growth, expected drilling schedule, economic recovery, payback timing,
IRR, drilling activities, demand for oil and gas and capital expenditures plan. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s
beliefs and assumptions, and on information currently available to the management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties,
and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors.
Forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date they are made, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future
developments or to release publicly any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances, or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a discussion of the risks facing the Company which could affect whether these
forward-looking statements are realized, see filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Oil and gas production figures included
in this release are stated before the effect of royalties paid in kind, consumption and losses, except when specified.
Readers are cautioned that the exploration
resources disclosed in this press release are not necessarily indicative of long term performance or of ultimate recovery. Unrisked
prospective resources are not risked for change of development or chance of discovery. If a discovery is made, there is no certainty
that it will be developed or, if it is developed, there is no certainty as to the timing of such development. There is no certainty
that any portion of the Prospective Resources will be discovered. If discovered, there is no certainty that it will be commercially
viable to produce any portion of the resources. Prospective Resource volumes are presented as unrisked.