NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

WesternZagros Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WZR) ("WesternZagros" or "the
Company") has successfully completed the first of three planned cased-hole tests
in the Oligocene Formation of the Kurdamir-2 well in the Kurdistan Region of
Iraq. Flow rates of up to 3,450 barrels per day ("bbl/d") of light oil were
achieved from the 20 metre perforated interval, the deepest of the planned
Oligocene tests. The Company now interprets the Oligocene oil leg encountered in
this well to be 146 metres minimum thickness (previously interpreted to be 118
metres). WesternZagros expects that its contingent resources estimate will
increase significantly as a result of this test. 


Simon Hatfield, WesternZagros's Chief Executive Officer commented,

"This first cased-hole test result far exceeded our expectations from what we
consider to be the poorest quality portion of the reservoir. The primary
objective of testing this deepest interval was to establish lowest known oil. We
now look forward to determining the flow rate from the two additional tests in
the main zone of the increasingly promising Oligocene reservoir."


The cased-hole test was conducted over a perforated interval of 20 metres of
fractured reservoir below the main porous zone of the Oligocene. The maximum
flow rate of 3,450 bbl/d of light oil and 8.8 mmcf/d of natural gas was reached
after flowing and stabilizing the well for two days at progressively larger
choke sizes. The final rate was achieved on a 72/64" choke with a wellhead
flowing pressure of 810 psi. The oil was high quality 38 degree API and no
formation water was detected. The Company's expectation of an increase in its
contingent resources is based on the now proven lowest known oil in the
Kurdamir-2 well at 2,590 metres, 28 metres deeper than reported following the
initial open-hole test conducted in March 2012. The test results also validate
that the prospective resources contained in the Oligocene extend still further
down the structure; and this will be further evaluated in the upcoming
Kurdamir-3 well to be drilled once current operations on Kurdamir-2 are
completed.


The operator, Talisman (Block K44) B.V. ("Talisman") will continue the testing
program of two additional Oligocene intervals at Kurdamir-2. Upon completion of
the testing program, test and wire log data will be analyzed and the Company
will release an updated resource estimate for the Oligocene once confirmed by
its independent auditors. 


WesternZagros and Talisman each have a 40 percent working interest in the
Kurdamir Block with the Kurdistan Regional Government ("KRG") holding the
remaining 20 percent.


About WesternZagros Resources Ltd.

WesternZagros is an international natural resources company engaged in acquiring
properties and exploring for, developing and producing crude oil and natural gas
in Iraq. WesternZagros, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, holds a 40
percent working interest in two Production Sharing Contracts with the Kurdistan
Regional Government in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. WesternZagros's shares
trade in Canada on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "WZR".


This news release contains certain forward-looking information relating, but not
limited, to operational information, future drilling and testing plans, and the
timing associated therewith. Forward-looking information typically contains
statements with words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect",
"potential", "could", or similar words suggesting future outcomes. The Company
cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as
by its nature, it is based on current expectations regarding future events that
involve a number of assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, which could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by
WesternZagros. In addition, the forward-looking information is made as of the
date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such to
reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.


Forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but rather on
management's current expectations and assumptions regarding, among other things,
plans for and results of drilling activity and testing programs, future capital
and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding
thereof), continued political stability, and timely receipt of any necessary
government or regulatory approvals. Although the Company believes the
expectations and assumptions reflected in such forward-looking information are
reasonable, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves
significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could
cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by
WesternZagros including, but not limited to, risks associated with the oil and
gas industry (e.g. operational risks in exploration; inherent uncertainties in
interpreting geological data; changes in plans with respect to exploration or
capital expenditures; interruptions in operations together with any associated
insurance proceedings; the uncertainty of estimates and projections in relation
to costs and expenses and health, safety and environmental risks), the risk of
commodity price and foreign exchange rate fluctuations, the uncertainty
associated with negotiating with foreign governments and risk associated with
international activity. For further information on WesternZagros and the risks
associated with its business, please see the Company's Annual Information Form
dated March 26, 2012 (the "AIF"), which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.


In addition, statements relating to prospective oil resources contained herein
are deemed to be forward-looking statements, as they involve the implied
assessment, based on certain estimates and assumptions that the resources
described can be economically produced in the future. Terms related to resource
classifications referred to herein are based on the definitions and guidelines
in the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook which are as follows.
"Prospective resources" are those quantities of petroleum estimated, as of a
given date, to be potentially recoverable from undiscovered accumulations by
application of future development projects. Prospective resources have both an
associated chance of discovery (geological chance of success) and a chance of
development (economic, regulatory, market, facility, corporate commitment or
political risks). The chance of commerciality is the product of these two risk
components. The estimates referred to herein have not been risked for either the
chance of discovery or the chance of development. There is no certainty that any
portion of the prospective resources will be discovered. 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 or that it will be
commercially viable to produce any portion of the prospective resources. The
combined prospective resource estimate referenced was independently audited as
of May 31, 2012 (Tertiary Eocene), April 20, 2012 (Tertiary Oligocene) and
January 14, 2011 (Cretaceous) and is the gross volume for the indicated
reservoirs, without any adjustment for the Company's working interest or
encumbrances. The Company's Statement of Oil and Gas Information contained in
its Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2012 ("AIF") and Material Change
Reports dated April 23, 2012 and June 6, 2012 ("Material Change Reports") filed
on SEDAR at www.sedar.com contain additional detail with respect to the resource
assessments and include the significant risks and uncertainties associated with
the estimates and the recovery and development of the resources. In addition,
the combined mean estimate of prospective resources referenced is an arithmetic
sum of the mean estimates for the three individual reservoirs on the Kurdamir
structure and each such individual mean estimate is the average from the
probabilistic assessment that was completed for the reservoir. Readers should
refer to the AIF and the Material Change Reports for a detailed breakdown of the
high (P10), low (P90) and best (P50) estimates for each of the individual
reservoir assessments. 


WESTERNZAGROS RESOURCES WAS RECOGNIZED AS A TSX VENTURE 50(R) COMPANY IN 2012.
TSX VENTURE 50 IS A TRADE-MARK OF TSX INC. AND IS USED UNDER LICENSE.


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
WesternZagros Resources Ltd.
Greg Stevenson
Chief Financial Officer
(403) 693-7007


WesternZagros Resources Ltd.
Tony Kraljic
VP Business Development
(403) 693-7011


WesternZagros Resources Ltd.
Lisa Harriman
Manager of Investor Relations
(403) 693-7017
investorrelations@westernzagros.com
www.westernzagros.com


Smithfield Group
Scott Fulton
Director
+44 (0) 20 7903 0641
sfulton@smithfieldgroup.com

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