Reabold Resources (RBD), Upland Resources (UPL), Baron Oil (BOIL), Chariot Oil & Gas (CHAR) and Petro Matad (MATD)
Good news today for - and from - Reabold Resources (RBD) as Upland Resources (UPL) and Baron Oil (BOIL) both confirmed their farm in to the North Sea Wick prospect. "Upland Resources' and Baron Oil's farm-in to the P2235 Licence are two of multiple farm-in processes which have been facilitated by the execution of Reabold Resources' stated strategy. We look forward to updating shareholders on further progress on the Colter and Wick licences which Corallian Energy, who are fully funded for both well projects and which Reabold have a 35.4% interest in, anticipate to begin drilling in Q2 and Q3 2018 respectively." said Stephen Williams, Co-CEO.
BOIL will now enter into a fully-termed farmout agreement under which, subject to necessary regulatory consents, it will pay 20% of the costs of the Wick well (currently estimated at £840,000), plus £6,500 in back costs, to earn a 15% interest in the licence. "As noted when we announced the Option Agreement, the Wick Prospect offers a rare opportunity to drill a low cost and relatively low-risk well in the near term. Our share in the Prospect has significant potential at current oil prices for Baron shareholders and it provides the possibility of an early, low cost, development opportunity. Success in this well will provide shareholders with a meaningful uplift in the asset value of the Company." said Bill Colvin, Chairman.
UPL notified that it has sufficient funds to satisfy its obligations under the farm-in agreement dated 29 November 2017 entered into for a 40% working interest in Wick and further announced that the UK Oil & Gas Authority has agreed to the appointment of Fraser Well Management Limited as the well operator for the Wick well, due to spud in Q3 this year. "The appointment of Fraser Well Management is another important step towards realising our goal of spudding the Wick well in Q3 this year. Good progress is being made, the environmental survey work over the surrounding area being completed earlier this month. This near term drilling opportunity opens Upland up to potentially transformative value growth and I look forward to updating shareholders on further progress when appropriate." said Steve Staley, CEO.
Chariot Oil & Gas (CHAR) meanwhile confirmed yesterday's news of a Conditional Placing and Open Offer to raise approximately £15.1 million to deliver a second well in 2018 targeting a giant potential prospect increasing the Group's ability to create transformational stakeholder value through the discovery of material accumulations of hydrocarbons. Success in either the fully carried RD-1 well in Morocco or Prospect S in Namibia has the potential to create transformational value for the Company. Drilling of Prospect S (Namibia) is targeted for the second half of 2018 and will be funded by net proceeds of the Placing, alongside the Company's existing cash resources. Netherland Sewell & Associates estimate that Prospect S has a gross mean prospective resource at current equity levels of 300mmbls net to Chariot, plus a potential upside of 1.4Bnbbls in other prospects within this licence. "This fundraise will represent another major step forward for Chariot, and one which allows the Company to participate in two giant-scale wells in this calendar year whilst capturing the bottom of the cost cycle for drilling. Success in either well would be transformational, and would also de-risk significant additional portfolio in the relevant licence. This comes after continued investment throughout the portfolio during the industry downturn which has allowed Chariot to build a drilling and prospect inventory of giant-scale opportunities. We will continue to progress operations in Namibia to drill Prospect S in H2 this year to benefit from synergies with third-party operations, and, in combination with our other partners, we continue to support Eni in their operations on the RD-1 well in Morocco which is scheduled to spud in March 2018." said Larry Bottomley, CEO.
CHAR further announced today the mobilisation of the Saipem 12000 drillship to drill the RD-1 well with expected arrival in Morocco in approximately 10 days. The RD-1 well is anticipated to spud shortly after its arrival
RBD's placing news (and details of their possible major acquisition) is still awaited and the placing is rumoured to be in the region of £9 to £12 million. Neither placing is small, but the recent Petro Matad (MATD) placing of £12.1 million at 6.5p shows what can happen, even short term, and the price action there may barely have yet started.
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The author holds one or more investments in one or more of the companies mentioned so this post cannot be viewed as independent research. This post does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell and may be incorrect or outdated.