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AMER, MAU, UKOG, ALBA, UJO, EOG, EDR, ECO, TRP, 88E, IGAS, GBP, RBD, BLOE, ZEN, INFA, FOG, JKX, CERP, TRIN, SRSP, PVR, LOGP, AEX, SOLO, CAD, RRL, TLOU, RKH, OEX, AOGL, MSMN, AST, ROSE, ANGS, VOG and PET

It was an exceptionally busy week for small cap oil and gas company news. Amerisur Resources (AMER) started by announcing an operations update. Full year production guidance remains 5,000 - 6,000 bopd, which does not include any contribution from exploration drilling. Testing operations on the Sol-1 exploration well are complete and the well is now producing at 253 bopd. This was a modest discovery and AMER now will next drill the Indico-2 appraisal well, which has the potential to transform reserves. In the meantime, a takeover bid of 17p per share has been received from Maurel & Prom (MAU:Paris). AMER has rejected this bid and with the shares closing Friday at 18.24p, it appears that a higher offer is expected. MAU confirmed on Friday that it remains a participant in the formal sale process.

UK Oil & Gas (UKOG) and Alba Mineral Resources (ALBA) announced a Horse Hill update. Portland connected oil volume accessed by HH-1 has significantly increased from 7 - 11 million barrels to 11 - 14 million barrels. Kimmeridge test production (currently 200 - 266 bopd) is planned to continue throughout the drilling of HH-2/2z. The drilling rig is now scheduled to arrive on site following routine servicing after the completion of its current job.

There was good news too for Union Jack Oil (UJO)Europa Oil & Gas (EOG) and Egdon Resources (EDR) who all announced a Wressle planning update. A decision has been made that North Lincolnshire Council will not be presenting evidence at the Public Inquiry and will withdraw its case. Planning permission still needs to be obtained via appeal, but the companies consider this to be a very positive development. Wressle is a discovery which tested at 710 boepd and the CPR estimates 2.15 million stock tank barrels classified as discovered (2P+2C).

Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas (ECO) announced its audited results and an update. The company currently has C$39.7 million cash (sufficient to fund its share of future wells) and results from the Jethro Lobe well currently being drilled are expected within the next 12 days. Meanwhile, Tower Resources (TRP) announced an extension of its bridging loan facilities. The company is continuing farm-out discussions with multiple parties and is hopeful of achieving a first term sheet in the near future. 88 Energy (88E) announced a quarterly report. The Icewine conventional farm-out process continued in Q2 with its preferred bidder, although the unconventional farm-out process has had to be deferred to H2.

IGas (IGAS) announced a trading update. Average net production for the year remaining is in the range c. 2,200 - 2,400 boepd. More exciting are its plans for a new site in PEDL 235 in the Weald Basin. IGAS estimates hydrocarbon in place volumes on the licence of c. 300 million barrels which have the potential to add significant value to the company. Global Petroleum (GBP) announced its June 2019 quarterly report. Initial contacts with counter-parties took place in relation to a potential farm-out of PEL 0094 and PEL 0029 in Namibia, while in Italy it continued to fight environmental objections relating to its permit applications through the courts.

Reabold Resources (RBD) announced an operations update and a Corallian Energy Limited update. Notwithstanding having been in production for a year now, the only number mentioned in the operations update is the initial production of its latest California well, completely unrepresentative of the continuous production number and, as was seen with Block Energy (BLOE), apparently announced to enable promoters to tout misleading revenue figures. RBD also claim that Corallian has competed an equity fundraise at a premium to its previous fundraise. Curious, since the main events between the two were the failures at Colter and Wick. Similar to the party who flipped the Sunset Exploration earn-in agreement into RBD for a £3 million gain, this party supposedly funding Corallian at a premium also is unnamed.

Returning to BLOE, following its RNS on 26 July (see comments in last week's blog), a number of investors contacted the company on Monday requesting clarification, which they were assured would be forthcoming immediately. However, as of close of business Friday there was still no RNS explaining the discrepancies. It doesn't look good. Zenith Energy (ZEN) announced an operational update and kept its uninvestable reputation intact by following through announcing a 2.5p placing with 1:1 warrants attached the next day.  ZEN was being promoted by the same outfit that was pumping BLOE pre-placing. Infrastrata (INFA) delivered the same investor disappointment as ZEN, announcing a 0.45p placing, also with 1:1 warrants attached. All the placings appear to have been well forward sold.

Falcon Oil & Gas (FOG) announced a Beetaloo sub-basin operational update. Two horizontal appraisal wells are planned in 2019. JKX Oil & Gas (JKX) announced its half-year report. Average production is now over 10,000 boepd. Columbus Energy Resources (CERP) made an announcement regarding drilling in the South West Peninsula. According to CEO, Leo Koot, a successful well will transform the company. Trinity Exploration & Production (TRIN) announced a production optimisation programme. The announcement may be a puff piece, but at least it shows that TRIN is now starting to focus on promotion. At the other end of the spectrum, the suspended Sirius Petroleum (SRSP) announced that its licence to the Ororo field expired on 31 May and there is no guarantee that an extension to the licence will be granted.

Providence Resources (PVR) and Lansdowne Oil & Gas (LOGP) announced another backstop extension until this Friday, Aminex (AEX) and Solo Oil (SOLO) announced another long stop extension for completion of the Ruvuma farm-out until 31 October, Cadogan Petroleum (CAD) announced an update regarding its indirect investee company Proger, Range Resources (RRL) announced a quarterly activities report and ASX share trading update, Tlou Energy (TLOU) announced an operational report, Rockhopper Exploration (RKH) announced a Sea Lion funding update and Oilex (OEX) announced an equity capital raising of £0.34 million to keep the lights on.

Attis Oil & Gas (AOGL) announced an update on timing of technical studies, Mosman Oil & Gas (MSMN) announced a six month production update, Ascent Resources (AST) announced the immediate resignation of its CEO, Colin Hutchinson, Rose Petroleum (ROSE) announced that Matthew Idiens will step down as its CEO on 30 August, Angus Energy (ANGS) announced a Saltfleetby gas field update and Victoria Oil & Gas (VOG) announced the signature of a non-binding term sheet with Aksa Energy to supply up to 25 million cubic feet of gas per day to Aksa's planned 150 MW power station.

Finally, Petrel Resources (PET) announced an issue of equity and virtually tripled in price. The attractions of PET were highlighted in the blog on 16 June, 23 June, 7 July and 14 July. I hope you had some. Regardless, capitalised at just £3 million, PET has a one billion plus barrel potential on its Porcupine Basin licence alone and very much deserves to be on the watch list.

Contact me on Twitter @Oilman_Jim 
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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.

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