Silverbirch Energy Announces Independent Assessment of Discovered Resource Estimate at Audet
October 13 2011 - 7:00PM
PR Newswire (Canada)
TSX V Trading Symbol: SBE /NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE
SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ CALGARY, Oct. 13,
2011 /CNW/ - SilverBirch Energy Corporation ("SilverBirch" or the
"Corporation") is pleased to announce the results of its
independent evaluation of discovered bitumen initially in place
("DBIIP") prepared by Sproule Unconventional Limited ("Sproule")
for the Corporation's oil sands leases in the Audet area of
Northeast Alberta. Sproule has prepared a report that provides
estimates for volumes of DBIIP for the Corporation's assets in the
Audet area (the "Report"). As a result of this assessment,
Sproule has estimated the DBIIP resource to be about 1,689.6
million barrels. The Report, effective September 30, 2011, is based
on the first quarter drilling program and has been prepared in
accordance with National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure
for Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101") and the Canadian Oil and
Gas Evaluation Handbook as published by the Society of Petroleum
Evaluation Engineers (Calgary Chapter) and the Petroleum Society of
Canada (the "COGE Handbook"). Thirty-four core holes were
drilled in the area during the first quarter of 2011 to evaluate
the reservoir quality and bitumen characteristics, to define the
extent of the bitumen resource and to provide an initial indication
of the cap rock potential for assessment of potential recovery
processes. "We are pleased to advise that the results of last
season's drilling program show potential for an oil sands project
at Audet," announced Howard Lutley, President and Chief Executive
Officer of SilverBirch. "The focus of our additional work in
the upcoming drilling season will be to determine the technical
feasibility of producing this significant resource." In early 2011
SilverBirch conducted a preliminary exploration drilling program on
its two oil sands leases, 418 and 271, known as the Audet
area. These leases, which are owned 100% by SilverBirch, are
located 110 kilometres north-east of Fort McMurray, and
approximately 40 kilometres north of Cenovus Energy Inc.'s
proposed Telephone Lake project. An initial review of the
results from the drilling program, and subsequent detailed
laboratory analyses of the core samples recovered, were very
encouraging. As a result, Sproule was engaged to undertake an
independent geological evaluation of the data and to provide an
estimate of the DBIIP. In addition, SilverBirch has engaged an
independent engineering consulting company to conduct a preliminary
assessment of the cap rock potential within the Audet area.
It is anticipated that the first phase of this work will be
completed prior to year end. In the meantime, SilverBirch is
continuing to advance the planning for a proposed 2012 winter field
program, which is expected to comprise further resource delineation
drilling; additional cap rock evaluation, including mini-frac
tests; hydrogeological investigations and a 2D seismic acquisition
program. Methodology The preparation and disclosure of the reported
resource estimates are the responsibility of SilverBirch's
management and require approval by the Corporation's Reserves and
HS&E Committee and Board of Directors. Sproule's responsibility
is to express an opinion on the discovered bitumen resources data
based on the data provided by management. Sproule carried out the
evaluation and review in accordance with standards established by
NI 51-101. These standards require that the contingent
resources estimates be prepared in accordance with the COGE
Handbook. There is no certainty that the Corporation's assets
located at Audet will produce any portion of the volumes currently
classified as "discovered resources". The primary contingencies
which currently prevent the classification of the discovered
resources disclosed above as reserves consist of: current
uncertainties around the specific scope and timing of the
development of the Audet assets; uncertainty regarding the
presence, extent or quality of cap rock; lack of regulatory
approvals for such projects; the uncertainty regarding marketing
plans for production from the subject areas; improved estimation of
project costs; commodity price fluctuations, timing, costs
estimates and final approval of the Corporation's Board of
Directors. The term "discovered bitumen initially in place"
(equivalent to discovered resources) is that quantity of petroleum
that is estimated, as of a given date, to be contained in known
accumulations prior to production. The recoverable portion of
discovered bitumen initially in place includes production,
reserves, and contingent resources; the remainder is
unrecoverable. The definition is taken from the COGE
Handbook. DBIIP is currently the most specific resource category
assignable to the Audet assets. Sproule was unable to
classify the discovered resources into one of the subcategories
because development projects could not be defined for the
discovered resource volumes at this time. It is yet to be
determined what recovery process will be applied in the Audet Area
due to current uncertainty of cap rock integrity. The
Corporation plans to undertake more delineation drilling and
mini-frac tests to evaluate the cap rock extent and integrity for
steam containment. There is no certainty that it will be
commercially viable to produce any portion of those discovered
resources. Discovered resources do not constitute, and should
not be confused with, reserves. For further information including
risk factors, please see SilverBirch's Annual Information Form for
the year ended December 31, 2010 which was filed on SEDAR at
www.sedar.com and the Corporation's website at
www.silverbirchenergy.com. About SilverBirch SilverBirch Energy
Corporation is a pre-production oil sands company headquartered in
Calgary, Alberta, Canada. SilverBirch has a portfolio of
mining and in situ oil sands properties, including 50% ownership of
the Frontier and Equinox Projects. To learn more, please
visit www.silverbirchenergy.com. FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the
meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking
information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan",
"expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate"
and other similar words, or statements that certain events or
conditions "may" or "will" occur. The forward-looking
information in this news release relates, but is not limited to,
statements with respect to the completion of the first phase of the
Corporation's work on the Audet assets and expectations and
planning for the proposed 2012 winter field program.
Information relating to "resources" is forward-looking information,
as it involves the implied assessment, based on estimates and
assumptions, that the resources described exist in the quantities
predicted or estimated, and can be profitably produced in the
future. The forward-looking information set out in this news
release, is based on certain expectations and assumptions
regarding, among other things, the geography of the areas in which
SilverBirch is exploring and the sufficiency of budgeted capital
expenditures in carrying out planned activities. In general,
estimates of bitumen are based upon a number of factors and
assumptions made as of the date on which the resource estimates
were determined, such as geological and engineering estimates,
which have inherent uncertainties. These expectations and
assumptions are based on certain factors and events that are not
within the control of SilverBirch and there is no assurance they
will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information is subject to
known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which
may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in such
forward-looking information. Such risks, uncertainties and
factors include, among others, risks relating to the early stage of
development of SilverBirch and the Audet assets and the general
risks associated with exploring for, developing and producing
bitumen. For reasons currently unforeseen, the completion of the
first phase of the Corporation's work on the Audet assets and the
proposed 2012 winter field program may not occur in the manner or
on the timelines currently anticipated or at all. In addition,
there are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating bitumen,
including many factors beyond the Corporation's control, and no
assurance can be given that the indicated level of bitumen or the
recovery thereof will be realized. Additional risks relating to the
business and operations of SilverBirch are set forth in the
Corporation's continuous disclosure documents filed under the
Corporation's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. SilverBirch
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if
circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change
except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to
place undue reliance on forward looking information. NEITHER THE
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. SilverBirch Energy Corporation CONTACT: please contact:
Howard Lutley, President and Chief ExecutiveOfficer,at 403-538-7030
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