Parex Resources Inc. (“Parex” or the “Company”) (TSX: PXT) and its
strategic partner Ecopetrol S.A. (“Ecopetrol”), are pleased to
announce that they have entered into definitive agreements to
consolidate their position along the Llanos Foothills trend in
alignment with current Colombian government objectives to secure
gas supply and support energy transition initiatives.
Parex and Ecopetrol are now strategically
positioned with eight blocks, along with the creation of a mutual
area of interest (“AMI”), to capitalize on the approximately
500-kilometer geological trend and explore for new sources of
domestic gas and liquids. This trend boasts world-class discoveries
at both ends, which cumulatively have produced over 1.4 million
barrels of oil(1), and roughly 4 trillion cubic feet of natural
gas(1), with the middle of the trend largely unexplored.
The agreements signify progress in Parex’s long-term gas
strategy to pursue underexplored liquids-rich plays, which are
within an area that has existing infrastructure that can be
leveraged to accelerate exploration and development following new
regulations that have been approved by the Colombian
government.
“After extensive joint efforts, Parex and Ecopetrol are proud to
announce the execution of definitive agreements to explore the
high-potential Foothills of Colombia and harmonize our respective
land positions. On behalf of Parex, I want to express my gratitude
to Ecopetrol for their trust in our company, while reaffirming our
commitment to the respectful treatment of community and stakeholder
rights. This collaboration not only supports Colombia’s energy
position and the current administration’s initiatives, but also
marks a transformative frontier for Parex as we advance our gas
strategy alongside our strategic partner,” commented Imad Mohsen,
President & Chief Executive Officer.
“Over the last three years, Parex has
strategically strengthened our asset portfolio, such as carrying
out the Arauca & LLA-38 farm-in and acquiring 18 new blocks in
the 2021 Colombia bid round. This further partnership with
Ecopetrol is a continuation of those efforts to expand and
high-grade our portfolio as we focus on executing near-field
exploration prospects – while concurrently drilling high-impact
targets with step-change potential.”
Key Highlights
- Assumed
operatorship in all exploration and future development activities
where Parex holds a newly acquired working interest
(“W.I.”)(2).
-
Harmonized the LLA-4-1, LLA-16-1, and LLA-121 blocks(2) to become
50-50 joint venture partners as well as the option to jointly
participate in two additional blocks within the trend is under
evaluation.
- Received
a 50% participation share in the form of exploratory rights within
the Sirirí Convenio(2), where the producing Gibraltar field is
located, in exchange for drilling the Gibraltar Profundo
exploration well and further capital investments of $11 million
(gross).
- The
Gibraltar field is currently producing from the Mirador
formation(3)(4), which is excluded from the definitive
agreements(2) and will remain 100% Ecopetrol W.I.
- Gibraltar
Profundo is a 3D-defined exploration prospect targeting gas and
condensate below the Mirador formation, and becomes one of the
highest-ranking prospects in Parex’s high-impact big ‘E’
exploration portfolio; with expected results in 2025, the prospect
is located within the existing facilities of the Gibraltar field
where a discovery could be fast-tracked to existing pipeline
infrastructure.
- Created
an AMI within the Foothills trend that includes the Niscota
exploration area, whereby if either party acquires the rights
within an area, each party has the right to acquire a 50% W.I. of
the acquired area(5)(6).
- The
Niscota area is on trend to the producing fields of Cusiana,
Cupiagua, Floreña, and Pauto Sur, which together produced over
23,000 bbl/d of oil(4) and roughly 1 bcf/d of natural gas(4) in
2023 from discoveries made in the 1980s and 1990s; peak average
production from the combined fields was approximately 450,000 bbl/d
of oil(1) and roughly 3 bcf/d of natural gas(1).
-
Continuing to work jointly to unlock transportation via recent
changes in regulations that allow for the conversion of existing
oil pipelines to multiphase pipelines, minimizing the need for new
independent treatment facilities for each block, and accelerating
commercial onstream time for successful gas production.
(1) Source: IHS – S&P Global.(2) See “Block & Working
Interest Summary” for additional information.(3) The Gibraltar
field currently produces approximately 37,000 mcf/d of natural gas
and roughly 700 barrels of light crude oil from the Mirador
formation (January 2024).(4) Source: National Hydrocarbons Agency
of the Republic of Colombia (“ANH”).(5) Excludes the extension of
the existing discoveries from the Piedemonte Convenio, where
Ecopetrol will keep 100% rights over such area.(6) Subject to
government approval.
Llanos Foothills Block & Working Interest
Summary
Block |
Parex |
Ecopetrol |
Updated |
Sirirí Convenio |
50% W.I. in Future Exploration(1)(4) |
100% W.I. in Current Producing Area(3)50% W.I. in Future
Exploration |
LLA-4-1 |
50% W.I.(2)(4) |
50% W.I. |
LLA-16-1 |
50% W.I.(2)(4) |
50% W.I. |
LLA-121 |
50% W.I.(1)(4) |
50% W.I. |
Existing Partnerships |
Capachos |
50% W.I.(2) |
50% W.I. |
Arauca |
Parex 50% Participating Share(2)(5) |
50% W.I. |
LLA-38 |
50% W.I.(2) |
50% W.I. |
LLA-122 |
50% W.I.(2) |
50% W.I. |
(1) New Parex operatorship.(2) Pre-existing Parex
operatorship.(3) Parex receives 50% participating share in future
exploration; Ecopetrol retains 100% W.I. and operatorship of
current production, with 50% participating share in future
exploration.(4) Subject to government approval.(5) Business
Collaboration Agreement with Ecopetrol (Parex 50% Participating
Share); Ecopetrol currently holds 100% of the W.I. in the Convenio
Arauca while the assignment procedure is pending.
About Parex Resources Inc.
Parex is the largest independent oil and gas
company in Colombia, focusing on sustainable, conventional
production. The Company’s corporate headquarters are in Calgary,
Canada, with an operating office in Bogotá, Colombia. Parex shares
trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol PXT.
For more information, please contact:
Mike KruchtenSenior Vice President, Capital
Markets & Corporate PlanningParex Resources Inc.
403-517-1733investor.relations@parexresources.com
Steven EirichInvestor Relations &
Communications AdvisorParex Resources
Inc.587-293-3286investor.relations@parexresources.com
Advisory on Forward-Looking
Statements
Certain information regarding Parex set forth in
this press release contains forward-looking statements that involve
substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. The use of
any of the words "plan", "expect", “prospective”, "project",
"intend", "believe", "should", "anticipate", "estimate",
“forecast”, "guidance", “budget” or other similar words, or
statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such
statements represent Parex's internal projections, estimates or
beliefs concerning, among other things, future growth, results of
operations, production, future capital and other expenditures
(including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof),
competitive advantages, plans for and results of drilling activity,
environmental matters, business prospects and opportunities. These
statements are only predictions and actual events or results may
differ materially. Although the Company’s management believes that
the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity,
performance or achievement since such expectations are inherently
subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political
and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors could
cause Parex's actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or
on behalf of, Parex.
In particular, forward-looking statements
contained in this press release include, but are not limited to,
statements with respect to the Company's focus, plans, priorities
and strategies and the benefits to be derived from such plans,
priorities and strategies; the expected benefits of the definitive
agreements, including that Parex and Ecopetrol are now
strategically positioned to capitalize on the approximately
500-kilometer trend and explore for new sources of domestic gas and
liquids; that Parex is to assume operatorship in all exploration
and future development activities on the jointly held eight blocks
where Parex holds a newly acquired W.I.; expected benefits from
recent changes in regulations that allow for converting existing
oil pipelines to multiphase pipelines; and the timing of results
expected from the Gibraltar Profundo exploration well and that a
discovery could be fast-tracked to existing pipeline
infrastructure. These statements are only predictions and actual
events or results may differ materially. Although the Company’s
management believes that the expectations reflected in the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee
future results, levels of activity, performance or achievement
since such expectations are inherently subject to significant
business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties
and contingencies. Many factors could cause Parex's actual results
to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any
forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Parex.
These forward-looking statements are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to, the
impact of general economic conditions in Canada and Colombia;
prolonged volatility in commodity prices; industry conditions
including changes in laws and regulations including adoption of new
environmental laws and regulations, and changes in how they are
interpreted and enforced in Canada and Colombia; determinations by
the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and other
countries as to production levels; competition; lack of
availability of qualified personnel; the results of exploration and
development drilling and related activities; obtaining required
approvals of regulatory authorities in Canada and Colombia; the
risks associated with negotiating with foreign governments as well
as country risk associated with conducting international
activities; volatility in market prices for oil; fluctuations in
foreign exchange or interest rates; environmental risks; changes in
income tax laws or changes in tax laws and incentive programs
relating to the oil industry; changes to pipeline capacity; ability
to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources;
failure of counterparties to perform under contracts; the risk that
Brent oil prices may be lower than anticipated; the risk that
Parex's evaluation of its existing portfolio of development and
exploration opportunities may not be consistent with its
expectations; the risk that Parex may not realize the expected
benefits from the definitive agreements; the risk that closing of
the definitive agreements may be delayed or may not occur at all;
the risk that necessary governmental and/or other approvals, as
required, may not be granted in connection with the definitive
agreements; risks associated with Parex's assumption of
operatorship in all exploration and future development activities
on the jointly held eight block where Parex holds a newly acquired
W.I.; the risk that recent changes in regulations may not result in
expected benefits; and risk that the timing of results from the
Gibraltar Profundo exploration well may be delayed and risk that a
discovery may not be fast-tracked to existing pipeline
infrastructure. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of
factors is not exhaustive. Additional information on these and
other factors that could affect Parex's operations and financial
results are included in reports on file with Canadian securities
regulatory authorities and may be accessed through the SEDAR+
website (www.sedarplus.ca).
Although the forward-looking statements
contained in this document are based upon assumptions which
Management believes to be reasonable, the Company cannot assure
investors that actual results will be consistent with these
forward-looking statements. With respect to forward-looking
statements contained in this document, Parex has made assumptions
regarding, among other things: current and anticipated commodity
prices and royalty regimes; availability of skilled labour; timing
and amount of capital expenditures; future exchange rates; the
price of oil, including the anticipated Brent oil price; the impact
of increasing competition; conditions in general economic and
financial markets; availability of drilling and related equipment;
effects of regulation by governmental agencies; receipt of partner,
regulatory and community approvals; royalty rates; future operating
costs; uninterrupted access to areas of Parex's operations and
infrastructure; recoverability of reserves and future production
rates; the status of litigation; timing of drilling and completion
of wells; on-stream timing of production from successful
exploration wells; operational performance of non-operated
producing fields; pipeline capacity; that Parex will have
sufficient cash flow, debt or equity sources or other financial
resources required to fund its capital and operating expenditures
and requirements as needed; that Parex's conduct and results of
operations will be consistent with its expectations; that Parex
will have the ability to develop its oil and gas properties in the
manner currently contemplated; that Parex's evaluation of its
existing portfolio of development and exploration opportunities is
consistent with its expectations; current or, where applicable,
proposed industry conditions, laws and regulations will continue in
effect or as anticipated as described herein; that the estimates of
Parex's production and reserves volumes and the assumptions related
thereto (including commodity prices and development costs) are
accurate in all material respects; that Parex will be able to
obtain contract extensions or fulfill the contractual obligations
required to retain its rights to explore, develop and exploit any
of its undeveloped properties; that Parex's internal security
protocols and engagements with its stakeholders and the Colombian
national government will be successful; that closing of the
definitive agreement will close; the anticipated benefits from the
definitive agreements; receipt of all required regulatory approvals
in respect of the definitive agreements; and other matters.
Management has included the above summary of
assumptions and risks related to forward-looking statements
provided in this document in order to provide shareholders with a
more complete perspective on Parex's current and future operations
and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes.
Parex's actual results, performance or achievement could differ
materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these
forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be
given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking
statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what
benefits Parex will derive. These forward-looking statements are
made as of the date of this document and Parex disclaims any intent
or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise, other than as required by applicable securities
laws.
Analogous Information
Certain information in this press release may
constitute "analogous information" as defined in National
Instrument 51-101. Such information includes production estimates
and other information retrieved from publicly available sources.
Management of Parex believes the information is relevant as it may
help to define the reservoir characteristics and production profile
of lands in which Parex may hold an interest. Parex is unable to
confirm that the analogous information was prepared by a qualified
reserves evaluator or auditor and is unable to confirm that the
analogous information was prepared in accordance with the COGE
Handbook or with National Instrument 51-101. Such information is
not an estimate of the production, reserves or resources
attributable to lands held or to be held by Parex and there is no
certainty that the production, reserves or resources data and
economic information for the lands held or to be held by Parex will
be similar to the information presented herein. The reader is
cautioned that the data relied upon by Parex may be in error and/or
may not be analogous to such lands held or to be held by Parex.
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations used in this press
release have the meanings set forth below:
bbl/d barrels
per
daybcf/d billion
cubic feet per day
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