Antelope-2 Drill Stem Test #2 Confirms Higher Stabilized Condensate to Gas Ratio Rate in Early Tests
January 11 2010 - 7:16AM
PR Newswire (US)
CAIRNS, Australia, and HOUSTON, Jan. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
InterOil Corporation (NYSE:IOC) (POMSoX: IOC) today announced that
during the last seven hours of drill stem test (DST) 2 at the
Antelope-2 well in Papua New Guinea the well flowed at a stabilized
rate of approximately 11 MMcfd on a 48/64 inch choke and the
condensate-to-gas ratio (CGR) averaged 20.7 barrels per million
cubic feet of natural gas. This is a 15% increase in CGR from DST 1
which was performed at the top of the reservoir. Prior to
initiating DST #2, casing was set in the well to a depth of 7,290
feet (2,222 meters) short of total depth of 7,415 feet (2,260)
meters due to an impassable ledge. The well was subsequently
drilled an additional 213 feet, from 7,415 feet (2,260 meters) to
7,628 feet (2,325 meters) and DST #2 was conducted with a packer
inside the casing shoe over the 338 foot (103 meter) open hole
section from 7,290 feet (2,222 meters) to 7,628 feet (2,325
meters). The forward plan is to perform one more DST in the lower
section of the current open hole then drill and core from the
current total depth into the targeted heavier condensate and
potential oil zone where the company looks to perform additional
DST's and formation evaluation work. Following testing and logging
of the lower vertical section of the wellbore, InterOil plans to
drill a horizontal lateral to explore a potential oil zone. Phil
Mulacek, Chief Executive Officer of InterOil, commented, "We
anticipate that the higher condensate ratio tested in DST #2 of the
Antelope structure will improve the previously estimated economics
of the stripping plant proposed to be constructed in the Gulf
Province." About InterOil InterOil Corporation is developing a
vertically integrated energy business whose primary focus is Papua
New Guinea and the surrounding region. InterOil's assets consist of
petroleum licenses covering about 3.9 million acres, an oil
refinery, and retail and commercial distribution facilities, all
located in Papua New Guinea. In addition, InterOil is a shareholder
in a joint venture established to construct an LNG plant on a site
adjacent to InterOil's refinery in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.
InterOil's common shares trade on the NYSE in US dollars. Investor
Contacts for InterOil: Wayne Andrews Anesti Dermedgoglou V. P.
Capital Markets V.P. Investor Relations The Woodlands, TX USA
Cairns Qld, Australia Phone: +1-281-292-1800 Phone: +61 7 4046 4600
Media Contact for InterOil: Andrea Priest/Ed Trissel Joele Frank,
Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher Phone: +1-212-355-4449 Forward-Looking
Statements This press release may include "forward-looking
statements" as defined in United States federal and Canadian
securities laws. All statements, other than statements of
historical facts, included in this press release that address
activities, events or developments that the InterOil expects,
believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future are
forward-looking statements, including in particular statements
concerning drilling and testing of the Antelope-2 well in the
Elk/Antelope field, the characteristics of the natural gas to
condensate ratio, the potential discovery of commercial quantities
of oil, and the potential for the development of a condensate
stripping plant. These statements are based on certain assumptions
made by the Company based on its experience and perception of
current conditions, expected future developments and other factors
it believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurances can
be given however, that these events will occur. Actual results will
differ, and the difference may be material and adverse to the
Company and its shareholders. Such statements are subject to a
number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are
beyond the control of the Company, which may cause our actual
results to differ materially from those implied or expressed by the
forward-looking statements. Some of these factors include the risk
factors described in the company's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission and SEDAR, including but not limited to those
in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008
on Form 40-F and its Annual Information Form for the year ended
December 31, 2008. In Particular, there is no established market
for natural gas in Papua New Guinea, and no guarantee that gas, gas
condensate or oil from the Elk/Antelope field will ultimately be
able to be extracted and sold commercially. Investors are urged to
consider closely the disclosure in the Company's Form 40-F,
available from us at http://www.interoil.com/ or from the SEC at
http://www.sec.gov/ and its and its Annual Information Form
available on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com/, including in
particular the risk factors discussed in the Company's filings. We
currently have no reserves as defined in Canadian National
Instrument 51-101 Standards of Disclosure for Oil and Gas
Activities. All information contained herein regarding resources
are references to undiscovered resources under Canadian National
Instrument 51-101, whether stated or not. DATASOURCE: InterOil
Corporation CONTACT: Investors, Wayne Andrews, V. P. Capital
Markets, +1-281-292-1800, , or Anesti Dermedgoglou, V.P. Investor
Relations, +61 7 4046 4600, , both of InterOil Corporation; or
Media, Andrea Priest or Ed Trissel of Joele Frank, Wilkinson
Brimmer Katcher, +1-212-355-4449, for InterOil Corporation Web
Site: http://www.interoil.com/
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