VANCOUVER, BC, March 29, 2021 /CNW/ - (TSX: AOI)
(Nasdaq Stockholm: AOI) Africa Oil
Corp. ("Africa Oil", "AOC" or the "Company") is pleased to
announce the posting of its 2020 statement of reserves on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com) as part of its Annual Information Form. This
disclosure is based on an independent reserves evaluation,
effective 31 December 2020, prepared
by RISC (UK) Limited ("RISC") for Africa Oil in accordance with
Canadian National Instrument 51-101 – Standards for Oil and Gas
Activities ("NI 51-101") and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation
Handbook ("COGE Handbook"). Africa Oil is also pleased to announce
the release of its first Environmental, Social and Governance
("ESG") Review that presents the Company's 2020 ESG performance
highlights and sustainability goals. This can be accessed on the
Company's website (www.africaoilcorp.com). View PDF
Version
Highlights1
- Africa Oil's statement of reserves is based on the Company's
50% ownership interest in Prime Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A
("Prime").
- YE'2020 working interest (W.I.) and net entitlement2
proved plus probable reserves ("2P") of 72.6 MMboe (YE'19: 70.9
MMboe) and 85.8 MMboe (YE'19: 84.9 MMboe), respectively.
- W.I. 2P reserves replacement ratio of 117% is the result of
strong reservoir performances with positive technical revisions and
resource transfers of 12.2 MMboe, compared to a production of 10.5
MMboe net to Africa Oil's 50% shareholding in Prime.
- After-tax 2P NPV (10) valuation of $1,356 million.
- Africa Oil is committed to be a full-cycle E&P company that
integrates sustainability consideration throughout the
decision-making and operational management. The Company has
presented its vision, sustainability goals and ESG performance
metrics in its inaugural ESG Review.
Africa Oil President and CEO, Keith
Hill, commented on the statement of reserves: "we
recently reported strong full-year 2020 operational and financial
performance underpinned by our investment in Prime. Therefore, I am
very pleased to report further positive news on our Nigerian assets
with a 2P reserves replacement ratio of 117% due to strong
reservoir performance at all three producing fields. These low-cost
assets provide us with a strong platform of production and cash
flows to pursue growth opportunities in our portfolio as well as
new business development ventures. I am also pleased that we have
published our first ESG Review, a significant milestone for the
company, since becoming a full-cycle E&P company in
January 2020 through the acquisition
of a 50% shareholding in Prime. We are fully committed to
delivering on our sustainability goals and I am confident that we
will continue to make good progress in managing and improving our
ESG performance."
Africa Oil Chairman, John
Craig, commented in the ESG Review Report: "As a Board,
we recognize the importance of maintaining robust governance
systems that address climate risk. In line with our commitment to
prioritize ESG performance, we have included ESG as a component of
our Executive pay-for-performance program as we believe these
important factors align with long-term value creation for the
Company and the interests of our stakeholders. In addition, we made
significant strides forward to advance our systems, integrate new
diligence steps in our investment screening procedures and charted
a path to reduce our emissions profile. By aligning our oversight,
strategy and performance to the Task Force on Climate-Related
Financial Disclosures framework, we also believe we are taking the
appropriate steps to communicate our activity and look forward to
providing further updates to our stakeholders in due
course."
Africa Oil's statement of reserves is based on the Company's 50%
ownership interest in Prime Oil & Gas Coöperatief U.A
("Prime"). Prime's main assets are an indirect 8% interest in
Oil Mining Lease ("OML") 127 and an indirect 16% interest in OML
130; both are deep-water Nigeria
concessions. OML 127 is operated by the affiliates of Chevron
Corporation ("Chevron") and contains the producing Agbami field.
OML 130 is operated by affiliates of TOTAL S.A. ("TOTAL") and
contains the producing Akpo and Egina fields and the undeveloped
Preowei field.
The YE'2020 reserves and reconciliation of changes in W.I.
reserves summarized in the following tables pertain to 50% of
Prime's W.I. and net entitlement reserves:
Summary of Oil and
Gas Reserves (Forecast Prices and Costs)
|
|
Light and Medium
Oil
|
Conventional
Natural
Gas
|
Natural Gas
Liquids
|
Reserve
Category
|
Gross
(MMstb)
|
Net
(MMstb)
|
Gross
(Bcf)
|
Net
(Bcf)
|
Gross
(MMstb)
|
Net
(MMstb)
|
Proved
|
Developed
Producing
|
27.4
|
35.7
|
18.6
|
18.6
|
-
|
-
|
Developed
Non-Producing
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Undeveloped
|
13.5
|
14.1
|
9.0
|
9.0
|
-
|
-
|
Total
Proved
|
40.9
|
49.9
|
27.6
|
27.6
|
-
|
-
|
Probable
|
23.1
|
27.3
|
24.5
|
24.5
|
-
|
-
|
Total Proved plus
Probable
|
63.9
|
77.1
|
52.2
|
52.2
|
-
|
-
|
Possible
|
17.8
|
19.8
|
20.8
|
20.8
|
-
|
-
|
Total proved plus
probable plus possible
|
81.7
|
96.9
|
73.0
|
73.0
|
-
|
-
|
Notes
- Figures in table
may not add precisely due to rounding errors.
- Units are MMstb
(million stock tank barrels) and Bcf (billion cubic
feet).
- Gross Company
reserves are the total project sales volumes multiplied by
Company's working interest.
- Net oil reserves
are Company's net entitlement calculated using economic limit
testing.
- Gross and net
reserves for sales gas are equal as the gas terms are set out in
the Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement rather than the PSA, and the
net reserves are based on Company's working interest.
|
Gross
|
Light and Medium Oil
(MMstb)
|
Conventional Natural
Gas (Bscf)
|
|
Proved
|
Probable
|
Proved +
Probable
|
Proved
|
Probable
|
Proved +
Probable
|
Effective date 31
December 2019
|
38.8
|
25.1
|
63.9
|
23.5
|
18.3
|
41.7
|
Extensions and
Improved Recovery
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Resource
Transfers
|
1.5
|
0.7
|
2.2
|
1.7
|
8.7
|
10.4
|
Technical
Revisions
|
9.2
|
-2.7
|
6.5
|
13.0
|
-2.4
|
10.6
|
Discoveries
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Acquisitions
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Dispositions
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Economic
Factors
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
Production
(2020)
|
-8.7
|
0.0
|
-8.7
|
-10.6
|
0.0
|
-10.6
|
Effective date 31
December 2020
|
40.9
|
23.1
|
63.9
|
27.6
|
24.5
|
52.2
|
Notes:
- Gross Company
reserves are the total project sales volumes multiplied by
Company's working interest.
|
Notes:
|
|
|
1
|
Please refer to the
oil and gas advisory on the next page for important
information.
|
|
|
2
|
Net entitlement
reserves are calculated using the economic interest methodology and
include cost recovery oil, tax oil and profit oil and are different
from working interest reserves that are calculated based on project
volumes multiplied by Prime's effective working
interest.
|
|
|
3
|
All dollar amounts in
this press release are U.S. Dollars unless otherwise
indicated.
|
About Africa Oil
Africa Oil Corp. is a Canadian oil and gas company with
producing and development assets in deepwater Nigeria; development assets in Kenya; and an exploration/appraisal portfolio
in Africa and Guyana. The Company is listed on the Toronto
Stock Exchange and on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol "AOI".
Additional Information
This information is information that Africa Oil is obliged to
make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The
information was submitted for publication, through the agency
of the contact persons set out above, at 5:30 p.m. ET on March 29,
2021.
Advisory Regarding Oil and Gas Information
The terms boe (barrel of oil equivalent) and MMboe (millions of
barrels of oil equivalent) are used throughout this press release.
Such terms may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation.
Year-end 2020 reserves estimates are based on a conversion ratio of
six thousand cubic feet per barrel of oil equivalent (6 Mcf: 1
boe), which is based on an energy equivalency conversion method
primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a
value equivalency at the wellhead. Given that the value ratio based
on the current price of crude oil as compared to natural gas is
significantly different from the energy equivalency of 6:1,
utilizing a conversion on a 6:1 basis may be misleading as an
indication of value.
RISC's report was prepared using Brent oil price forecast of
($/bbl): 2021 – 55.0; 2022 – 56.1; 2023 – 57.2; 2024 – 58.4; 2025 –
59.5; 2026 and beyond – escalation rate of 2.0%. There is no
assurance that the forecast prices will be attained and variances
could be material. The recovery and reserves estimates of crude
oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas reserves provided herein
are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated
reserves will be recovered. Actual crude oil, natural gas and
natural gas liquids reserves may be greater than or less than the
estimates provided herein.
The reserves estimates presented in this press release have been
evaluated by RISC in accordance with NI 51-101 and the COGE
Handbook, are effective December 31,
2020. The reserves presented herein have been categorized
accordance with the reserves and resource definitions as set out in
the COGE Handbook. The estimates of reserves in this press release
may not reflect the same confidence level as estimates of reserves
for all properties, due to the effects of aggregation.
Reserves are estimated remaining quantities of petroleum
anticipated to be recoverable from known accumulations, as of a
given date, based on the analysis of drilling, geological,
geophysical, and engineering data; the use of established
technology; and specified economic conditions, which are generally
accepted as being reasonable. Reserves are further classified
according to the level of certainty associated with the estimates
and may be sub-classified based on development and production
status. Proved Reserves are those quantities of petroleum, which,
by analysis of geoscience and engineering data, can be estimated
with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from a
given date forward, from known reservoirs and under existing
economic conditions, operating methods and government regulations.
Probable Reserves are those additional quantities of petroleum that
are less certain to be recovered than Proved Reserves, but which,
together with Proved Reserves, are as likely as not to be
recovered. Possible Reserves are those additional reserves that are
less certain to be recovered than probable reserves. It is unlikely
that actual remaining quantities recovered will exceed the sum of
the estimated proved plus probable plus possible reserves.
Forward Looking Information
Certain statements and information contained herein constitute
"forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation). Such statements and information
(together, "forward looking statements") relate to future events or
the Company's future performance, business prospects or
opportunities.
All statements other than statements of historical fact may be
forward-looking statements. Statements concerning proven and
probable reserves and resource estimates may also be deemed to
constitute forward-looking statements and reflect conclusions that
are based on certain assumptions that the reserves and resources
can be economically exploited. Any statements that express or
involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations,
beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future
events or performance (often, but not always, using words or
phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue",
"estimate", "expect, "may", "will", "project", "predict",
"potential", "targeting", "intend", "could", "might", "should",
"believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical
fact and may be "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, ongoing uncertainties
and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements, including production, cashflow from operation and
capital investment estimates, performance of commodity hedges, the
results, schedules and costs of exploratory drilling activity,
uninsured risks, regulatory and fiscal changes, availability of
materials and equipment, unanticipated environmental impacts on
operations, duration of the drilling program, availability of third
party service providers and defects in title.
Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected by
the forward-looking statements presented in this document are
reasonable, the Company's forward-looking statements have been
based on assumptions and factors concerning future events that may
prove to be inaccurate. Those assumptions and factors are based on
information currently available to the Company about itself and the
businesses in which it operates. Information used in developing
forward-looking statements has been acquired from various sources,
including third party consultants, suppliers and regulators, among
others. Because actual results or outcomes could differ materially
from those expressed in any forward-looking statements, investors
should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking
statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve
numerous assumptions, inherent risks and uncertainties, both
general and specific, which contribute to the possibility that the
predicted outcomes will not occur. Some of these risks,
uncertainties and other factors are similar to those faced by other
oil and gas companies and some are unique to the Company.
No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to
be correct and such forward-looking statements should not be unduly
relied upon. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any
obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as
required by applicable laws. These forward-looking statements
involve risks and uncertainties relating to, among other things,
changes in macro-economic conditions and their impact on
operations, changes in oil prices, reservoir and production
facility performance, hedging counterparty contractual performance,
OPEC+ quota impact on production, results of exploration and
development activities, cost overruns, uninsured risks, regulatory
and fiscal changes, defects in title, claims and legal proceedings,
availability of materials and equipment, availability of skilled
personnel, timeliness of government or other regulatory approvals,
actual performance of facilities, joint venture partner
underperformance, availability of financing on reasonable terms,
availability of third party service providers, equipment and
processes relative to specifications and expectations and
unanticipated environmental, health and safety impacts on
operations. Actual results may differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended
December 31, 2020 and other documents
filed with securities regulatory authorities (accessible through
the SEDAR website www.sedar.com) describe risks, material
assumptions and other factors that could influence actual results
and are incorporated herein by reference.
SOURCE Africa Oil Corp.