First Calgary Petroleums Ltd. Updates Algeria

    Reserves Estimates effective December 31, 2004

 

    CALGARY, March 31 /CNW/ - First Calgary Petroleums Ltd. (FCP or the

Company) today announces it has received a summary of its reserves and values

as of December 31, 2004 as estimated by the independent engineering company,

DeGolyer and MacNaughton. The gross proved, probable and possible recoverable

reserves are estimated to be 13 trillion cubic feet of natural gas equivalent

(TCFe), consisting of 7 trillion cubic feet of natural gas and 1 billion

barrels of oil, condensate and LPG (natural gas liquids). The reserves are

attributed to the Ledjmet 405b and Rhourde Yacoub 406a blocks located in

Algeria's Berkine Basin.

    The reserves estimates were prepared in accordance with Canadian

Securities National Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil & Gas

Activities and are based on work completed and information available to

December 31, 2004. The specific conditions under which the results were

reported will be contained in the final report of DeGolyer and MacNaughton.

    Comparing the December 31 estimates with those reported effective

October 31, 2004, the Company's net proved, probable and possible reserves

remain unchanged at 2.1 TCFe on a natural gas equivalent basis. On a gross

reserves basis, the December 31 proved, probable and possible estimates

reflect an increase in the oil and condensate estimates and a reduction in

natural gas. Effective December 29, 2004, 30% of Block 405b was relinquished

back to Sonatrach pursuant to the terms of the PSC as FCP went from the first

exploration period to the second. As well, two of the well tests completed

during the October 31st to December 31st period indicated the presence of an

oil pool as well as gas. The aerial extent and recovery factors assigned to

oil recoveries are less than those assigned to gas. The overall effect of the

relinquishment and oil discovery on the gross gas equivalent reserves is a

decrease of approximately 4 per cent. The increase in the estimated gross

proved, probable and possible oil/condensate reserves of 142 million barrels

places the year end estimates in excess of 1 billion barrels. Not reflected in

the December 31, 2004 reserve estimates are the test results of LES-2 (33,653

barrels of oil equivalent per day) and the logging results of the MLE-6 well

(46 meters of net pay).

    The gross and FCP net recoverable gas, oil, condensate and LPG reserves

estimated by DeGolyer and MacNaughton at December 31, 2004 are as follows:

 

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Gross Recoverable Reserves     FCP Net Recoverable Reserves

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Gas    Oil,     Total Gas    Gas     Oil,     Total Gas

                         Condensate   Equivalent      Condensate  Equivalent

                          and LPG      Volume           and LPG      Volume

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     BCF   MMBBLS      BCFe       BCF    MMBBLS        BCFe

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proved

    Undeveloped      609      77       1,073      152       22          284

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Probable       1,556     249       3,050      201       49          496

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proved and

     Probable      2,165     326       4,123      353       71          780

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Possible       4,825     676       8,880      567      128        1,335

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proved,

     Probable

     and Possible  6,990   1,002      13,003      920      199        2,115

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

    The net present values attributable to the December 31, 2004 estimates

are based on commodity prices on December 31 and are not indicative of present

commodity prices as indicated below:

 

                                          October 31, December 31,  March 31,

                                             2004         2004         2005

    Brent oil (US$/bbl)                    $47.83       $40.47       $53.46

 

    FCP's estimated future net revenue and present values relating to the

reserves using commodity prices as at December 31, 2004 are as follows:

 

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

              Future Net Revenue and Present  Future Net Revenue and Present

                 Values (after tax) using        Values (after tax) using

                       Forecast Prices                Constant Prices

                        (US $Million)                   (US $Million)

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Undiscounted    PV       PV   Undiscounted   PV          PV

                              (8%)     (10%)               (8%)       (10%)

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proved

     Undeveloped    $867     $291      $213       $979     $381         $295

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Probable      $1,552     $993      $879     $1,765   $1,126       $1,003

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proved and

     Probable     $2,419   $1,284    $1,092     $2,744   $1,507       $1,298

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Possible      $4,554   $2,347    $2,023     $4,987   $2,662       $2,313

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Proved,

     Probable

     and

     Possible     $6,973   $3,631    $3,115     $7,731   $4,169       $3,611

    -------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

    (1)  The gross and net recoverable reserves volumes are estimated under

         the constant price case as at December 31, 2004.

 

    (2)  FCP's net reserves allocations are based upon the terms of the

         contracts relating to each block. The Ledjmet Block 405b reserves

         allocation is calculated annually based upon a sliding scale formula

         that considers capital investment, production levels and product

         prices. Accordingly, the net allocation can vary annually and will

         be dependent upon the costs, production levels and product prices

         realised. For Rhourde Yacoub Block 406a, FCP is allocated the

         equivalent of 49% of the gross production on an equivalent barrel

         basis.

 

    (3)  Future net revenues are after Algerian royalties and taxes. The

         Company believes there will be no Canadian income taxes payable on

         the production of these reserves.

 

    (4)  Gas equivalent units have been calculated by the Company at 1 barrel

         (BBL) for 6 thousand cubic feet of natural gas equivalent. A

         conversion ratio of 1 BBL:6 MCF of natural gas is based on an energy

         equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip

         and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead.

         Accordingly, using gas equivalent units may be misleading,

         particularly if used in isolation.

 

    (5)  BCF means billion cubic feet of natural gas and BCFe means billion

         cubic feet of natural gas equivalent.

 

    Richard G. Anderson, FCP's President and CEO, commented, "The year end

reserve estimates reflect the increased presence of oil and condensate as the

Company moves westward with its drilling program. Test results from the most

recent wells indicate FCP not only has major gas and condensate discoveries

but also a new oil discovery extending across much of the south-western

portion of Block 405b contributing to the hydrocarbon liquids total in excess

of 1 billion barrels. The Company is pleased with the negotiated one time

relinquishment of Block 405b as the entire ZER prospect was preserved,

providing the Company with additional resource potential to the northwest."

    FCP has filed its Annual Information Form which contains the annual

National Instrument 51-101 F1, F2 and F3 information. The report can be

accessed electronically from the SEDAR system at www.sedar.com.

 

    First Calgary Petroleums Ltd. is an oil and gas Exploration Company

actively engaged in international exploration and development activities in

Algeria. The Company's common shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange in

Canada (FCP) and on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange in the UK

(FPL).

    This news release includes statements about expected future events and

financial results that are forward looking in nature and subject to risks and

uncertainties. FCP cautions that actual performance may be affected by a

number of factors, many of which are beyond its control. Future events and

results may vary substantially from what First Calgary Petroleums Ltd.

currently foresees.

 

        For further information: contact: Richard G. Anderson, President and

CEO, First Calgary Petroleums Ltd., Tel: (403) 264-6697, Website: www.fcpl.ca;

Jim Joseph, College Hill, Tel: +44 (0) 207 457 2020; Carina Corbett, 4C

Communications Ltd., Tel: +44 (0) 207 907 4761

    (FPL FCP.)

 

 

 

 



END



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